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USA Today
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
David Letterman calls Paramount 'gutless' for canceling Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show'
David Letterman, who hosted "The Late Show" from 1993 to 2015, joked that his predecessor, Stephen Colbert, is a "martyr" and questioned the motivations for canceling the CBS show. David Letterman is questioning the motivations behind the shock cancellation of his former CBS home, "The Late Show." Speaking with former "Late Night with David Letterman" colleagues Barbara Gaines and Mary Barclay in a July 25 clip from "The Barbara Gaines Show" on Letterman's YouTube channel, the 78-year-old comedian did not hold back. He threw barbs at CBS parent company Paramount Global and David Ellison, who's slated to become CEO after Paramount merges with his Skydance Media in an $8.4 billion deal. "It's all very strange. It's very complicated, but it was a bit of a surprise, wasn't it?" Letterman said. As the 14-minute Zoom conversation continued, he eventually called Paramount pulling the plug on Stephen Colbert's show "pure cowardice" and "gutless." Letterman hosted the show from 1993 until 2015, at which point Colbert took over post-"Colbert Report." After Colbert announced on July 17 that "The Late Show" would be ending in May after more than 30 years, Paramount released a statement that called the move "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night." The media company also maintained: "It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount." While Colbert's show is the top rated at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT, it was losing a reported $40 million a year. David Letterman blasts explanation that 'Late Show' was canceled for financial reasons Letterman speculated that Paramount is capitulating to Ellison, who might not "want any trouble from that guy," referring to Colbert, long known for his political satire and criticism of President Donald Trump. "Not only are we going to get rid of that guy, we're going to get rid of the whole franchise so you don't have to worry about another guy," Letterman said in an impersonation of Paramount executives. "It's gone, buddy!" "I think it's sad, but what this indicates also is (Ellison doesn't) want any trouble along the lines of freedom of the press or free speech or freedom of expression," Letterman surmised. "They don't want to get their hands dirty; they don't want the government going after them." He also cast doubt on the explanation that the "Late Show" cancellation was "purely a financial decision." "I don't think it was money. I think it was all to make sure (Ellison was) solid spending dad's (Larry Ellison's) money," he said. "You're telling me losing this kind of money happened yesterday?" he said. "I bet they were losing this kind of money a month ago. I'll bet they were losing this kind of money six weeks ago, or they have never been losing money. "Take a look at the CBS News. It's still in business, and I'm not certain that that's a profit center," he continued. What Letterman said before: The ex-host's subtle jab at CBS amid Colbert 'Late Show' cancellation 'We've all got to kiss Stephen Colbert's ring' Letterman, who was complimentary of Colbert and the work he's done since taking over Letterman's show, went on to excoriate Paramount's treatment of its star talent. "They did not do the correct thing. They did not handle Stephen Colbert, the face of that network, in the way he deserves to have been handled," he said. Letterman went on to declare that those who decided the fate of "The Late Show" would regret the move. "One day, if not today, the people at CBS who have manipulated and handled this are going to be embarrassed because this is gutless," Letterman said. "Now we've all got to kiss Stephen Colbert's ring now," he added, joking that he's a "martyr" for his firing.
Politico
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Politico
Stewart, Colbert slam CBS, Trump for cancellation of late night franchise: ‘Fear and pre-compliance'
Colbert's bribe comment was referring to a $16 million payment Paramount will make to Trump to settle a lawsuit over a '60 Minutes' interview conducted with Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election. The settlement came as the network seeks approval from the Trump administration for an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media. Colbert, unlike Stewart, repeatedly thanked CBS for the partnership. 'But how could it purely be a financial decision if 'The Late Show' is number one in ratings?' Colbert said Monday. Though Colbert expressed disappointment his show would be canceled in May 2026, he said now 'the gloves are off' for the remainder of his time. 'I can finally speak unvarnished truth to power and say what I really think about Donald Trump, starting right now,' he said Monday. 'I don't care for him.' Stewart and Colbert have long been comedic partners, with Colbert appearing as a fictionalized version of himself on the first run of Stewart's 'The Daily Show,' before getting his own 'Colbert Report' standalone show. Stewart has also served as a producer during Colbert's run on CBS' marquee late night TV program, which will end in its entirety after Colbert's run. Stewart called ending the show the 'path of least resistance' for the network to get the merger approved by 'a fragile and vengeful president.' But he didn't seem to show any concerns that his show would face the same fate. 'I believe CBS lost the benefit of the doubt two weeks prior, when they sold out their flagship news program to pay an extortion fee to said president,' he said. Trump wrote on Truth Social Friday he 'absolutely loves' that the show was canceled. 'His talent was even less than his ratings,' he said. Colbert responded on his show on Monday in his monologue in a bit labeled the 'eloquence cam': 'Go fuck yourself.' Trump is now turning his attention to other longtime late night rivals who have also voiced support for Colbert, saying he hopes he plays 'a major part in' what he describes as their rumored departures.
USA Today
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Jon Stewart's 'Daily Show' rant turns ire to Paramount amid Colbert cancellation
Jon Stewart is coming to his old colleague's defense. The "Daily Show" host took a large chunk of his airtime Monday night to lament the cancellation of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," a late-night comedy institution currently anchored by his longtime friend and political satire peer. Colbert got his big break on "The Daily Show" as a correspondent in the early aughts, working for Stewart before launching his own Comedy Central spinoff, "The Colbert Report." In 2015, Colbert took over CBS' "Late Show," replacing David Letterman and steering the show to ratings success. "Watching Stephen exceed all expectations in the role, and become the No. 1 late-night show on network television, has been an undeniable great pleasure for me as a viewer and as his friend," Stewart said during his July 21 monologue. Stephen Colbert's life and career, from 'Daily Show' to 'Late Show' cancellation He then turned his ire to CBS and its parent company, Paramount, which also owns Comedy Central. The decision to cancel the "Late Show," the company said in a statement, was "purely financial." Some in the industry have cast doubt on that claim, however, arguing instead that it may be the result of political kowtowing. Paramount is seeking the FCC's approval for a proposed $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media. Stewart falls firmly in the camp of skeptics. "Now, I acknowledge losing money. Late-night TV is a struggling financial model. We are all basically operating a Blockbuster kiosk inside of a Tower Records," he joked. "But when your industry is faced with changes, you don't just call it a day. My God! When CDs stopped selling, they didn't just go, 'Oh, well, music, it's been a good run.' "I believe CBS lost the benefit of the doubt two weeks prior," Stewart added, "when they sold out their flagship news program to pay an extortion fee to said president." His comments reference a large settlement Paramount paid in response to a defamantion lawsuit from President Donald Trump. The company forked over $16 million in response to a suit that accused "60 Minutes" of editing an interview with then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris. USA TODAY has reached out to Paramount for comment. "If you're trying to figure out why Stephen's show is ending, I don't think the answer can be found in some smoking gun email or phone call from Trump to CBS executives, or in CBS' QuickBooks spreadsheets on the financial health of Late Night," Stewart said, crescendoing his monologue on a more serious note. "I think the answer is in the fear and pre-compliance that is gripping all of America's institutions at this very moment – institutions that have chosen not to fight the vengeful and vindictive actions of our pubic hair-doodling commander in chief," he said. "This is not the moment to give in. I'm not giving in! I'm not going anywhere – I think."
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert sparks industry outcry: Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and others React
The announcement that 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' will end in May 2026 has sent shockwaves across the entertainment industry. CBS confirmed the cancellation during Colbert's July 17 broadcast, citing financial reasons. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Fellow late-night hosts and celebrities have shown an outpouring of support for the decision; many of whom said disbelief and annoyance over the shift. Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers praise Colbert's legacy Jimmy said he was 'just as shocked as everyone,' calling Colbert 'one of the sharpest, funniest hosts to ever do it.' He added that Colbert had been a gentleman and a true friend since their Colbert Report days, and that he was confident Colbert's next chapter would be just as brilliant. Seth Meyers, in his Instagram Story, said Colbert was an even better person than he was a comedian and host. He joked that he was excited Colbert could no longer use the excuse of being 'too busy to hang out' with him. Jimmy Kimmel lashes out at CBS over cancellation As reported by Variety, Jimmy Kimmel reacted with a mix of affection and fury. He posted, 'Love you Stephen. F** you and all your Sheldons CBS,'* referencing the network's preference for safer sitcoms. His comment was widely shared and echoed by other Hollywood figures. Celebrities and journalists mourn the end of The Late Show According to People, Adam Scott called the cancellation 'absolute bulls***' and said he was looking forward to the final 10 months of shows. Katie Couric expressed sadness and demanded more information, while Judd Apatow praised Colbert's brilliance and said his admiration was 'bottomless'. Jon Batiste, Rachel Zegler, Kristin Chenoweth, and Anderson Cooper also shared emotional tributes. Cooper said Colbert was 'an incredibly decent human being' and praised his ability to have real conversations on television. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Speculation over political motives behind cancellation As reported by USA Today, the timing of the cancellation has raised eyebrows. Just days before the announcement, Colbert criticized CBS parent company Paramount for a 16 million dollars settlement with Donald Trump over a 60 Minutes interview. Colbert called the payment a 'big fat bribe' on-air. Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congressman Adam Schiff have publicly questioned whether the cancellation was politically motivated. CBS and Paramount have denied this, stating the decision was 'purely financial' and unrelated to performance or content.
