Latest news with #THELATESHOW
Metro
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Fans think The Late Show With Stephen Colbert cancelled for terrifying reason
The decision to end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert may be cloaked in corporate-speak and presented as a financial necessity, but many Americans remain unconvinced. Social media users have gone online in droves to claim the official narrative – that CBS is retiring the iconic franchise purely due to budgetary pressures – doesn't hold up under scrutiny. According to them, the timing, the context, and the responses surrounding the show's end all point to a deeper motive, and one that runs straight through the corridors of power in Washington. On Thursday night, Stephen Colbert stood before his audience and delivered the kind of news no late-night host ever wants to share: next season will be his last. 'It's not just the end of our show, but it's the end of The Late Show on CBS,' he told a stunned studio crowd. 'I'm not being replaced. This is all just going away.' His tone was somber, but many viewers felt there was clear tension under the surface. Sorry, the video was not found Just days before the announcement, Colbert criticized CBS's parent company, Paramount, for reaching a $16million legal settlement with President Donald Trump. The suit concerned the editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris during the 2024 election, an interview Trump claimed was manipulated. Not long after Colbert publicly blasted the settlement, CBS dropped the axe. Officially, the network claims the show's cancellation has nothing to do with Trump, politics, or the content of The Late Show but that denial came across less as a confident clarification and more as damage control. Importantly, the show has had consistently high ratings in its slot and is often the highest-rated show in late-night. Their statement read: 'We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire 'THE LATE SHOW' franchise at that time. This is 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.' As Rolling Stone's Alan Sepinwall noted: 'Pointedly, there is no comment from Colbert in the release, and there's no way he wasn't asked to provide a polite quote.' Then came Trump's gleeful gloating on Truth Social: 'I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert! '[Fox News host] Greg Gutfeld is better than all of them combined, including the Moron on NBC who ruined the once great Tonight Show.' It was a smug victory lap that, intentionally or not, framed the network's decision as a political scalp. It's a bizarre spectacle when a sitting president takes public joy in the silencing of one of his loudest critics, but some also found it telling. The Writers Guild of America issued a statement calling on New York state officials to launch an investigation into Paramount over 'potential wrongdoing.' The statement reads in part: 'Given Paramount's recent capitulation to President Trump in the CBS News lawsuit, the Writers Guild of America has significant concerns that The Late Show's cancelation is a bribe, sacrificing free speech to curry favor with the Trump administration as the company looks for merger approval.' US Senator Bernie Sanders shared a similar sentiment: 'CBS's billionaire owners pay Trump $16 million to settle a bogus lawsuit while trying to sell the network to Skydance. Stephen Colbert, an extraordinary talent and the most popular late night host, slams the deal. Days later, he's fired. Do I think this is a coincidence? NO.' Senator Adam Schiff agreed: 'Just finished taping with Stephen Colbert who announced his show was cancelled. If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.' Hollywood isn't buying the official line either. Colbert's peers have rallied around him, none more bluntly than Jimmy Kimmel, who posted: 'Love you Stephen. F**k you and all your Sheldons CBS.' CBS's billionaire owners pay Trump $16 million to settle a bogus lawsuit while trying to sell the network to Colbert, an extraordinary talent and the most popular late night host, slams the deal. Days later, he's fired. Do I think this is a coincidence? NO. — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 18, 2025 Just finished taping with Stephen Colbert who announced his show was Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better. — Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) July 17, 2025 Fans are also furious, flocking to social media in droves to share their outrage. @mmpadellan wrote: 'Good morning and Happy Friday to everyone who agrees that it was a bulls*** move for CBS to cancel Stephen Colbert's show just days after he called out their parent company Paramount for bending the knee to Trump. I stand with Stephen Colbert.🙏💪' @aintscarylarry wrote: 'In case you missed it, the republicans cut off funding for NPR and PBS today. And later, CBS cancelled the Stephen Colbert show because he spoke the truth about Trump. Make no mistake about it: Fascism is here, and we are goose stepping toward having one state-approved media.' Since Colbert took over in 2015, The Late Show has become a nightly thorn in the side of authoritarianism, misinformation, and Donald Trump himself. Colbert's monologues during the Trump presidency often went viral, his satire sharp enough to provoke presidential tweets and conservative backlash. He was, arguably, the last late-night host still consistently willing to hold power to account with biting honesty. And now he's gone. CBS may insist this is a simple case of budget cuts and shifting media trends, and it's true the network, like many in legacy media, is navigating rocky financial waters. More Trending But even if financial considerations were real, the optics of the timing and the conspicuous omission of any comment from Colbert in the announcement make it hard to believe the move was apolitical. The merger between Paramount and Skydance Media – which still awaits approval from the FCC, an agency that reports to the President – adds another layer of intrigue. It's not a stretch to see the show's cancellation as a quiet concession, a quid pro quo to grease the wheels of a larger corporate deal. A host with a clear political point of view, one unafraid to criticize both his own network and the sitting administration, is being taken off the air, while the President cheers from the sidelines and a multi-billion-dollar media merger waits for government approval. View More » The warning bells of creeping authoritarianism have been ringing in America for some time now, but this doesn't just echo them; it sounds a blaring alarm. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Trump ignores Epstein questions at signing of Genius Act he says was 'named after me' MORE: Trump denies sending Epstein 'lewd birthday letter with drawing of naked woman' MORE: Doctors diagnose Trump with chronic vein problem after noticing swelling in his legs
Daily Record
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Stephen Colbert's The Late Show cancelled after 8 years as fans fume at decision
The popular US late night talk show host previously comically "backed" Scottish independence in one of his 2014 skits The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will disappear from TV screens in a year's time after being cancelled. Stephen rose to fame presenting the satirical news show The Colbert Report on Comedy Central from 2005 until 2014. He succeeded David Letterman as presenter of The Late Show on CBS, a subsidiary of Paramount Global. On July 17, CBS announced that The Late Show will end its " historic run" in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season. "We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire the 'THE LATE SHOW' franchise at that time," a CBS spokesperson said. "We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late-night television." The broadcaster explained the reasoning behind the move, stating: "This is 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." Colbert himself delivered the news to his viewers during Thursday's programme, announcing: "Before we start the show, I want to let you know something I found out just last night. Next year will be our last season. "The network will be ending 'The Late Show' in May." Supporters flocked to social media to voice their outrage over the programme's axing. "I'm absolutely not ready to NOT have Stephen Colbert on my TV at night," one fumed on X, previously Twitter, while another said: "CBS letting Stephen Colbert go is BS! Boycott CBS," reports the Mirror. Back in 2014, Colbert comically backed Scottish independence and even played out the famous scene from Braveheart of Mel Gibson on his programme - with a minor edit to the dialogue. "Folks, any time people are angrily demanding something and I don't entirely understand why, I am with them," Colbert said in a night segment on The Colbert Report. "I stand with my secessionist brothers... Today, I, Stephen Colbert, am a proud Scotsman. Ich bin ein Edinburgher." He added: "They may take our lives, but they will never take our freedom to calculate pension benefits, rates of inflation or earnings. Whichever is higher." Multiple viewers have speculated that the programme's termination could be connected to the broadcaster's recent legal agreement with President Trump, considering Stephen's vocal condemnation of the President. Paramount Global is presently combining with Skydance Media, a transaction that needs approval from the Federal Communications Commission. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "Just days after Paramount announces it settles the lawsuit Trump brought against them, they announce they are cancelling Stephen Colbert. Can't help but think the cancelling of Stephen Colbert's show was part of the settlement that Paramount agreed to. It's so obvious," one viewer remarked. Another expressed their unease: "I'm not going to pretend that Stephen Colbert is perfect or anything, but it really does not sit right with me that this news comes just after Paramount settled with Trump and in the midst of merging with Skydance Media. This just feels like textbook censorship, plain and simple."
7NEWS
18-07-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Stephen Colbert's ‘Late Show' axed by CBS
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will broadcast its final show in May, CBS said on Thursday. The network, which has aired The Late Show with Colbert as its host since 2015, said it is ending the franchise after a 'historic run'. 'We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire 'THE LATE SHOW' franchise at that time,' CBS executives said in a joint statement. 'We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television. 'This is 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.' Colbert, who took over 'The Late Show' from David Letterman after having hosted Comedy Central's The Colbert Report for nearly a decade, announced the news on his show Thursday. He noted that he learned of the cancellation the previous night. 'It's not just the end of our show,' he said. 'I'm not being replaced. This is all just going away.' 'The folks at CBS have been great partners,' he said. Californian Democratic Senator Adam Schiff said Thursday that he had just finished recording a segment with Colbert, a vocal critic of the Trump administration, and questioned the network's explanation for cancelling the show. 'If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know,' he said on X. 'And deserves better.' CBS' parent company, Paramount, is in the midst of an $8 billion merger with Hollywood studio Skydance. But the deal has been delayed for months as talks with lawyers for President Donald Trump dragged on after he filed a lawsuit over an interview the CBS newsmagazine 60 Minutes aired with Vice President Kamala Harris last year. Paramount agreed in principle on July 2 to settle the suit by paying $16 million to Trump's future presidential library. However, Paramount Global said at the time, 'this lawsuit is completely separate from and unrelated to the Skydance transaction and the FCC approval process'. Trump's Federal Communications Commission chairman, Brendan Carr, is investigating the deal. Colbert recently criticised the settlement on The Late Show, calling it 'a big fat bribe'. 'Paramount knows they could have easily fought it, because in their own words, the lawsuit was completely without merit,' he said, referring to how Paramount described the suit before it settled. Among those criticising the decision was fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel of Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC. 'Love you Stephen,' Kimmel wrote on Instagram, adding: '(Expletive) you and all your Sheldons CBS' — apparently referring to the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory and its follow-on, Young Sheldon. CBS said this year it wouldn't continue the other show in its late-night suite, After Midnight, after host Taylor Tomlinson announced she would be leaving. Colbert, an executive producer on the show, expressed his support for Tomlinson and CBS in a statement at the time. 'I want to thank CBS for their constant support and invaluable partnership on 'After Midnight,' and the whole staff for their amazing dedication,' he said in the statement, according to Variety.
Daily Mirror
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Stephen Colbert's The Late Show cancelled by CBS after 8 years on air leaving fans fuming
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has been cancelled by CBS with the show's final season set to air in May 2026. Fans hav been left devastated by the news with one saying "Stephen Colbert deserves better" The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is set to bid farewell in May 2026. Stephen became a household name hosting the satirical news programme The Colbert Report on Comedy Central from 2005 until 2014, before taking over from David Letterman as host of The Late Show on CBS, a subsidiary of Paramount Global. CBS announced: "'THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT' will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season. We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire the 'THE LATE SHOW' franchise at that time. We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late-night television." The network clarified the reasoning behind the decision, stating, "This is 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," Colbert himself broke the news to his audience during Thursday's show, revealing, "Before we start the show, I want to let you know something I found out just last night. Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending 'The Late Show' in May," he disclosed. Fans took to social media to express their dismay over the show's cancellation, with reactions such as, "Stephen Colbert deserves better!""I'm absolutely not ready to NOT have Stephen Colbert on my TV at night," and "CBS letting Stephen Colbert go is BS! Boycott CBS" dominating X, the platform previously known as Twitter. Several viewers have suggested that the show's cancellation might be linked to the network's recent legal settlement with President Trump, given Stephen's outspoken criticism of the President. Paramount Global is currently merging with Skydance Media, a move that requires the green light from the Federal Communications Commission, reports the Mirror US. "Just days after Paramount announces it settles the lawsuit Trump brought against them, they announce they are cancelling Stephen Colbert. Can't help but think the cancelling of Stephen Colbert's show was part of the settlement that Paramount agreed to. It's so obvious," one viewer commented. Another shared their discomfort: "I'm not going to pretend that Stephen Colbert is perfect or anything, but it really does not sit right with me that this news comes just after Paramount settled with Trump and in the midst of merging with Skydance Media. This just feels like textbook censorship, plain and simple."
Sky News AU
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Stephen Colbert's late night show cancelled in another blow to leftist media
Late-night talk show host and comedian Stephen Colbert's show will be cancelled in 2026, according to CBS. CBS recently released a statement confirming 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' will officially end next year. ''THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT' will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season,' the statement read. 'We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire 'THE LATE SHOW' franchise at that time. We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television.' The network revealed the show's cancellation was 'purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.' In CBS' statement, they added the cancellation was 'not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.'
