Stephen Colbert Reflects on ‘The Late Show’ Ending and What’s Next: “We’re the First Number One Show to Ever Get Canceled”

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Stephen Colbert recently discussed the upcoming finale of The Late Show, sharing his thoughts on the show ending and what he plans to do afterward.

The comedian told GQ magazine, while at the Chateau Marmont, that he was shocked CBS cancelled the show, despite its strong ratings as the top program in its time slot.

Colbert acknowledged that all TV shows eventually come to an end, and he’s experienced that with previous shows, sometimes through his own choice and sometimes not. He said it’s just part of the entertainment industry – you have to accept it. However, he believes his show is unique in being canceled while still the most-watched program. Despite knowing the final episode is in May, he admitted it still feels distant.

CBS explained the show’s cancellation was due to financial reasons, stating that late-night TV isn’t making enough money anymore. However, Stephen Colbert suggested the decision happened soon after he publicly called Paramount Global’s $16 million settlement with Donald Trump a “big fat bribe.”

Colbert explained that he understands why people reacted strongly to the news, because CBS—or its parent company—paid $16 million to the President as part of a settlement, even though their own legal team believed the lawsuit was baseless. He added that he doesn’t know who specifically made the decision, and likely never will.

It’s clear that action harms the network’s, corporation’s, and news division’s reputation. I don’t understand why anyone would do something like that except to try and gain approval from one person.

Although he was surprised by the news, Stephen Colbert stated he’s always had a positive working relationship with CBS. He explained, “That’s part of why this came as such a shock – there was no warning. We normally discuss budgets and make cuts together, so I didn’t see this coming.”

I’ve really enjoyed working with these folks – they’ve been fantastic partners, honestly. They’ve given me a lot of support, and I’m proud that we were able to deliver what we set out to do. Ultimately, I just want to make something really good.

Colbert shared that he feels a bit relieved about the show ending. He jokingly said it means he won’t have to constantly dive into difficult and unpleasant topics. He wants to end the show on a high note, but he’s still figuring out the best way to do that.

Colbert shared that he’s eager to develop new projects in the future. He enjoys the creative process and values his team of over 200 collaborators, hoping to continue working with them. There’s been some talk that he might start a new show on YouTube, potentially bringing his existing audience of 10 million subscribers along with him.

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2025-11-04 01:16