Latest news with #cancellation
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Powerful Hollywood entity call for investigation into bribery after Stephen Colbert cancellation
A powerful Hollywood group has called for a sweeping investigation into Paramount Global following the abrupt cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The Writers Guild of America wants New York Attorney General Letitia James to launch a probe into whether the cancellation is related to Colbert's criticism of the network's capitulation to President Trump. In a fiery joint statement from the the East and West Coast arms of the Writers Guild, the union suggests the scrapping of the show may amount to political bribery. The guild alleges Paramount's decision to axe the show after Colbert accused the company of bribing Donald Trump to advance its proposed $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media was not merely coincidence, but potentially 'a dangerous capitulation to political pressure.' 'Cancelations are part of the business,' the WGA said, 'but a corporation terminating a show in bad faith due to explicit or implicit political pressure is dangerous and unacceptable in a democratic society.' The union's statement referenced the $16 million settlement Paramount reached earlier this month with Trump over a contentious 60 Minutes segment involving Kamala Harris during the 2024 election. The agreement was widely derided by media watchdogs as a dubious payoff and has already prompted an ongoing investigation by the California State Senate. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has also demanded a federal probe into whether the settlement constituted an illegal attempt to curry favor with the White House. The cancellation came just two days after Colbert slammed the settlement live on air, calling it 'a big fat bribe' and openly questioning whether the payment was made to grease the wheels for the merger's approval. WGA leaders argue that segment may have cost Colbert his job. 'Given Paramount's recent capitulation to President Trump,' the union wrote, 'we have significant concerns that The Late Show's cancelation is a bribe, sacrificing free speech to curry favor with the Trump Administration.' The guild called on 'elected leaders to hold those responsible to account' and vowed to pursue every possible legal and political remedy to support its members and protect media freedom. Paramount executives deny any political motive. In a joint statement, co-CEO George Cheeks, CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach, and CBS Studios president David Stapf insisted the decision was based purely on declining revenues and shifting industry dynamics. 'This was a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,' they said. 'It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.' But critics aren't buying it. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders fired off a blistering statement on X: '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 Ed Markey went further, suggesting possible political interference: 'If the Trump administration is using its regulatory authority to influence or otherwise pressure your company's editorial decisions, the public deserves to know.' Trump wasted no time celebrating the move on his Truth Social account gleefully writing, 'I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Greg Gutfeld is better than all of them combined, including the Moron on NBC who ruined the once-great.' The post prompted a visceral response from Colbert's fellow hosts. Kimmel posted to Instagram: 'Love you Stephen. F**k you and all your Sheldons CBS.' The timing of Colbert's cancellation has only deepened suspicions. On July 2, Paramount agreed to settle Trump's lawsuit. On July 15, Colbert railed against it on national television. On July 17, Paramount pulled the plug on the show despite it still being the top-rated program in its timeslot, beating both Fallon and Kimmel in linear and digital viewership. Indeed, while CBS cited financial strain, the numbers have painted a more complicated picture. Advertising revenue for The Late Show has dropped 40% since 2018 from $121.1 million to $70.2 million last year, according to ad firm Guideline. But the show still drew a nightly average of 1.9 million viewers this past season, more than any other late-night rival with Colbert has maintaining a massive digital following on YouTube and TikTok. But CBS insists the business no longer adds up. One former TV network executive said The Late Show had been hemorrhaging money and losing up to $40 million annually because of shrinking ad dollars and rising production costs. 'Fifteen years ago, a show like The Tonight Show could earn $100 million a year,' they said. 'Now, they're money pits.' CBS had already begun gutting its late-night schedule. The Late Late Show with James Corden was scrapped in 2023. After Midnight was canceled earlier this year. Colbert will end in May of next year with CBS planned to fill the Late Show slot with reruns of the primetime hit Tracker. ABC's Jimmy Kimmel has a contract that also runs out next year. Kimmel, 57, openly wondered in a Variety interview before signing his latest three-year contract extension how long he wanted to do it. He's hosted his show since 2003. "I have moments where I go, I cannot do this anymore," Kimmel told Variety in 2022. "And I have moments where I go, what am I gonna do with my life if I'm not doing this anymore?' It's a very complicated thing ... I'm not going to do this forever." Colbert, Kimmel and Stewart were all nominated for Emmy awards this week. Colbert's cancellation is the latest flashpoint in what critics call a mounting war against media critical of Trump. The president has long sparred with journalists and entertainers, launching lawsuits against The New York Times, CNN, 60 Minutes, and ABC News.
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Katie Price CANCELS Glasgow Pride appearance last minute due to 'urgent obligation' - just days after she and pal Kerry Katona backed out of headlining Barnsley Pride
Katie Price cancelled her appearance at Glasgow Pride on Saturday, leaving fans devastated - days after she and pal Kerry Katona backed out of headlining Barnsley Pride. The reality star, 47, pulled out of the free all-day event at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances, the page's official Instagram announced. She was amongst the line-up of star-studded names to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community at entertainment venue Barrowland Ballroom in Calton. Other names included on the list were headliners such as Miriana Conte, Subwoolfer, Kelly Llorenna and Karen Dunbar. In an announcement on social media, Glasgow Pride wrote: 'Unfortunately, Katie Price is not able to attend Glasgow's Pride 2025 due to another urgent obligation, but we do have a message for those who attend Pride!' The news came as a shock to fans, who were excited to see her perform - with some declaring they were 'no longer going'. MailOnline has reached out to Katie's representative for comment. Taking to the comments section, people wrote about their devastation, including: 'WHERE IS MS PRICE GONE'; 'Is Katie Price not going anymore?? '; 'Oh I'm not going now, Katie price isn't there'. Earlier this month Katie cancelled her appearance at Barnsley Pride just days before the event. The TV personality was set to entertain her fans up north on Saturday as they were ready to celebrate their LGBTQIA+ community at the free event. But the organisers have confessed that they are 'genuinely disappointed' as Katie had to pull out due to 'unforeseen circumstances'. Taking to Facebook, officials penned: 'We sincerely apologise to all our visitors who are looking forward to joining us for our Barnsley Pride 2025 events. 'Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, Katie Price will no longer be headlining our Funny Gals Main Stage / After Dark Official Pride Afterparty. She was amongst the line-up of star-studded names to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community at entertainment venue Barrowland Ballroom in Calton 'We want to make it clear that this is beyond our control and that we are genuinely disappointed, as we were very excited to have her as part of our line-up of amazing acts.' But it wasn't the only disappointing news they have for their attendees as they also revealed that Katie's family friend, Kerry, 44, had also pulled out. They continued: 'Additionally, the original headliner, Kerry Katona, also had to cancel due to personal reasons. 'The entire team here at Funny Gals shares in this disappointment, and we deeply regret any inconvenience or disappointment caused.' There are still some very famous faces set to attend the event with RuPaul's Drag Race winner Vicki Vivacious, X Factor's Sammy Brooks, Tess Tickle, and Gladys Duffy all performing. And while the cancellation from Katie and Kerry made have 'disappointed' the organisers, fans were also left in a frenzy as they said the news 'ruined' the day. They penned: 'Oh no Saturday night ruined!'; 'Nooooo [crying emoji].' The reasons behind the cancellation are still unknown. In May Katie was reportedly 'forced to pull out of her highly-anticipated tell-all tour' with Kerr y. The pair's show An Evening with Katie and Kerry - On Tour is set to kick off in Ellesmere Port on Thursday, September 11 and conclude in Hull on October 22. But after 'trying everything to make it work,' Katie will have to sit out the mammoth 33-date run due to childcare issues. The model is mum to Harvey, 22, with ex Dwight Yorke, Junior, 19, and Princess 17, with ex-husband Peter Andre, and Jett, 11, and Bunny, 10, with ex-husband Kieran Hayler. A source told The Sun: 'Katie is gutted and tried everything she could to make it work but she has had to step away from the tour because she has childcare commitments and also a very busy schedule.' They added: 'She hates letting her fans down and hopes to be able to do something similar in the future. 'At the moment, it's unclear whether Kerry will continue without her or if the whole tour will be scrapped.' MailOnline has contacted Katie's representative for comment. The duo are set to share 'stories of their friendship, marriage and divorce, bankruptcy, I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, the importance of family, their constant press attention and turning their lives around.'
Fox News
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
CBS Cancels Stephen Colbert's ‘Late Show'
As seen on Gutfeld, Greg discusses the media's reaction towards the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show.' Plus, Greg reacts on reports about financial reasons being behind the show's cancellation, and not low ratings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
The Independent
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Jimmy Kimmel weighs in on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert cancellation
CBS has announced the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, with its final episode scheduled for May 2026. The network and Paramount stated that the decision to end the long-running franchise was purely financial, not related to the show's performance or content. Stephen Colbert confirmed the news to his live audience, explaining that the show would conclude rather than him being replaced. Fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel publicly defended Colbert, criticising CBS for their decision. Despite the cancellation, The Late Show currently leads its time slot in ratings, having gained viewers this year with approximately 2.417 million viewers.
Russia Today
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Russia Today
Writers guild seeks probe after CBS axes Colbert show
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has called for an investigation into the abrupt cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert by CBS and its parent company, Paramount Global, alleging the move was politically motivated. CBS confirmed earlier this week that it will end the long-running late-night program in May 2026, retiring the entire Late Show franchise after over three decades. Executives cited declining ad revenue and changing viewer habits as reasons for the decision. 'Cancellations are part of the business,' the WGA's East and West Coast branches said in a joint statement Friday, 'but terminating a show in bad faith due to political pressure is dangerous and unacceptable in a democratic society.' The union urged New York state officials to launch a formal investigation. The WGA noted that the cancellation followed CBS's recent $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump, who had sued the network over alleged media bias. The case stemmed from a 60 Minutes segment that Trump claimed defamed him during its 2024 election coverage. Paramount did not admit to any wrongdoing but agreed to pay earlier this month. Colbert criticized the settlement on-air as a 'big fat bribe,' referring to Paramount Global's ongoing effort to secure regulatory approval for a merger with Skydance Media — a deal that could face government scrutiny. The WGA called the payout a 'capitulation to President Trump,' arguing that Colbert's cancellation sacrifices free speech in the hopes of currying favor with regulators ahead of the merger. Other late-night hosts expressed outrage over the move. Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon said he was shocked, while Jimmy Kimmel Live! host Jimmy Kimmel voiced support for Colbert and sharply criticized CBS. Trump praised the show's cancellation in a Truth Social post, adding, 'I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert!' While CBS has tried to maintain neutrality, Colbert has frequently mocked Trump with humor and satire, once calling the former president's actions authoritarian. Despite the controversy, The Late Show averaged 3.61 million viewers during the 2024–2025 season — a 16% rise from the previous year — making it the most-watched late-night program during the fall season.
