Stephen Colbert Says ‘Reasonable’ to Assume LATE SHOW Cancellation Is Political

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Stephen Colbert isn’t diving into the specifics of why CBS cancelled his show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, but he isn’t dismissing the popular theories either. In an interview with GQ, Colbert discussed the cancellation and acknowledged that it’s plausible political factors – and a desire to please a certain person – played a role. However, he stopped short of confirming any single reason, stating that ultimately, it was “the network’s decision” and that’s all he’s focused on.

Here’s what Stephen Colbert said about the speculation that the cancellation of The Late Show was connected to the lawsuit filed by the president, Paramount/CBS’s settlement with him, or Colbert’s own remarks about it, especially considering the current political climate. Colbert explained:

As someone in the entertainment industry, my take is that this was a decision made by the network. I get why people are upset that CBS – or its parent company, whoever made the call (and no one will tell us) – paid $16 million to the President to settle a lawsuit their own lawyers considered baseless. It’s obvious this harms the network’s, the corporation’s, and the news division’s reputation. It seems like the only reason to do that would be to gain favor with one person. People might assume I was involved, given that CBS has done something similar before, but I had nothing to do with it and don’t want any part of it. It’s not my issue. I have my own reasons for no longer wanting to do the show, and I’d need a compelling reason to continue that relationship with the network for the next nine months. I’ve always had a good relationship with CBS.

The suddenness of this news was really shocking, especially considering we always go through a budgeting process and have made cuts before. That’s why I was so surprised, and why I immediately shared my reaction on air. They’ve been fantastic partners, incredibly supportive from the start. It took us six to nine months to really find our footing with the show – it wasn’t an instant success like The Colbert Report was. They stuck with us, provided what we needed, and ultimately, we were able to deliver the results they were hoping for. I’m committed to doing a good job and making them proud.

Colbert managed to address the cancellation of The Late Show in a thoughtful and diplomatic way, without avoiding the issue. He highlighted how unusual the situation was and the different way CBS handled it compared to their usual interactions. He even shared that the network didn’t personally inform him of the decision. Colbert also acknowledged the possibility of political factors playing a role, and we appreciate his willingness to be honest about it. It’s clear something wasn’t handled smoothly, and his statement shows a need for transparency.

Colbert jokingly pointed out that The Late Show might be the first number one show ever canceled. He confirmed the show has held the top spot since 2016 – a full nine years. He shared a story about processing the cancellation, explaining he called a fellow late-night host for advice. The friend responded that no one would be surprised, as it’s unheard of for a show to be number one for nine consecutive years and then get canceled. Colbert admitted he was surprised by that perspective, but acknowledged it made sense – it’s unusual to be canceled after so much success.

Stephen Colbert explained that CBS/Paramount canceled The Late Show because of money. The network told him late-night television was no longer profitable, and while he acknowledged they’re responsible for the business side, he was surprised by the decision. He jokingly added that if The Late Show couldn’t succeed in late night, he didn’t see how any show could.

CBS/Paramount announced that Stephen Colbert is leaving The Late Show in May 2026, calling him irreplaceable and stating they will end the show after his departure. They emphasized this decision is purely financial, driven by the difficulties facing late-night television, and is not a reflection of the show’s success or any issues within Paramount. They are proud to have hosted Stephen and believe he will be remembered as one of the greats of late night.

I’ve been thinking about why we’re seeing fewer late-night shows lately, and while money is definitely a factor, I suspect it’s also about the content itself. These hosts aren’t afraid to speak their minds, offering sharp satire and real talk about what’s going on in the world. In today’s environment, having shows that do that feels a little risky for networks, but honestly, I think it’s more important than ever.

Stephen Colbert will be ending his run as host of The Late Show in May 2026. The show just received an Emmy Award for being the best talk series. While it’s sad to see him leave, we’re confident he’ll be successful in whatever he does next.

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2025-11-04 22:04