Jimmy Fallon 'shocked' by The Late Show's cancellation
Stephen Colbert, who hosts the programme, recently has confirmed that The Late Show will ended in 2026, and Jimmy has taken to social media to voice his support for his showbiz pal.
The 50-year-old comedian - who hosts The Tonight Show - wrote on Instagram: "I'm just as shocked as everyone. Stephen is one of the sharpest, funniest hosts to ever do it. I really thought I'd ride this out with him for years to come. I'm sad that my family and friends will need a new show to watch every night at 11:30. But honestly, he's really been a gentleman and a true friend over the years — going back to The Colbert Report, and I'm sure whatever he does next will be just as brilliant."
Seth Meyers has also expressed his support for Stephen.
The TV star said on Instagram: "For as great a comedian and host he is, Stephen Colbert is an even better person. I'm going to miss having him on TV every night but I'm excited he can no longer use the excuse that he's 'too busy to hang out' with me."
Stephen announced the axing of The Late Show on Thursday's (17.07.25) episode.
The 61-year-old presenter confirmed that CBS has pulled the plug on his nightly talk show, with the final episode set to air in May.
He said: "Before we start the show, I want to let you know something that I found out just last night. Next year will be our last season, the network will be ending The Late Show in May."
Stephen - who replaced David Letterman at the helm in 2015 - added: "I'm not being replaced. This is all just going away. I do want to say that the folks at CBS have been great partners … And I'm grateful to the audience, you, who have joined us every night, in here, out there, and all around the world.
"I am extraordinarily, deeply grateful to the 200 people who work here. We get to do this show. We get to do this show for each other every day, all day, and I've had the pleasure and the responsibility of sharing what we do every day with you in front of this camera for the last 10 years."
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Do I think this is a coincidence? NO," Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent, wrote on X. CBS executives said dropping the show was "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount". The late-night format has been struggling for years as viewers increasingly migrate to streaming. Younger viewers, in particular, are more apt to find amusement on YouTube or TikTok, leaving smaller, aging TV audiences and declining ad revenues. Americans used to religiously turn on Johnny Carson or Jay Leno before bed, but nowadays many fans prefer to watch quick clips on social media. Advertising revenue for Colbert's show has dropped 40 per cent since 2018 - the financial reality that CBS said prompted the decision to end The Late Show in May 2026. One former TV network executive said the program was a casualty of the fading economics of broadcast television. 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