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chowder66

(11,861 posts)
Thu Jul 17, 2025, 06:32 PM Jul 2025

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' Ending Next Year With CBS Retiring Late-Night Franchise

Source: Deadline

In a shocking move, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is ending in May 2026.


Read more: https://deadline.com/2025/07/the-late-show-with-stephen-colbert-ending-next-year-cbs-1236461787/



snip...

“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 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,” said George Cheeks, Co-CEO Paramount Global and President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS, Amy Reisenbach, President, CBS Entertainment and David Stapf, President, CBS Studios in a statement.

Colbert, who announced the news during tonight’s taping, said that he was grateful for giving him the chair. “I’m not being replaced, this is all just going away,” Colbert said.

BS said this was “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,” it added.
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The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' Ending Next Year With CBS Retiring Late-Night Franchise (Original Post) chowder66 Jul 2025 OP
Bullshit.. It is cowardice... hlthe2b Jul 2025 #1
I am sure it was, just like the 60 minutes. Did they get their orders by email or phone call from the WH? lostincalifornia Jul 2025 #2
OK! Now Stephen Colbert can say ANYTHING he wants ... he can just let it fly FakeNoose Jul 2025 #3
This cancellation is pure bullshit LetMyPeopleVote Jul 2025 #4
Yep. Pure and utter bullshit. chowder66 Jul 2025 #6
Colbert, Meyers, SNL. . . Collimator Jul 2025 #5
There's no way this wasn't a concession to Trump. Disgusting thing for CBS to do. highplainsdem Jul 2025 #7
Oh man Diraven Jul 2025 #8
Stephen Colbert's show axed after blasting CBS-Trump deal as 'big fat bribe' LetMyPeopleVote Jul 2025 #9
I hope badass Colbert gets many more Emmys than he's already got. ancianita Jul 2025 #10
If I can't watch Colbert, I won't watch CBS. BadgerMom Jul 2025 #25
One of 4 shows I watch on CBS IzzaNuDay Jul 2025 #27
Just in time for the Mid-Terms. Sneederbunk Jul 2025 #11
Haven't Rebl2 Jul 2025 #12
That's why God invented bagimin Jul 2025 #16
The late night monologues are posted right here on DU along with any political guests Rhiannon12866 Jul 2025 #28
Please, Stephen, find a new home! SpankMe Jul 2025 #13
The late night format doesn't translate well to streaming pstokely Jul 2025 #19
This really fell into his lap. Dave called him up pretty much out of the blue underpants Jul 2025 #31
Bullshit. 2naSalit Jul 2025 #14
This is such bullshit. "Purely a financial decision" MY ASS. (nt) Paladin Jul 2025 #15
Here is Colbert telling his audience LetMyPeopleVote Jul 2025 #17
Bovine Excrement! Pas-de-Calais Jul 2025 #18
I just saw this on the 11pm news tonekat Jul 2025 #20
Smothering Democracy in its crib. BurnDoubt Jul 2025 #21
what happens to the Ed Sullivan theater? pstokely Jul 2025 #22
CBS who? SalamanderSleeps Jul 2025 #23
This is pretty chilling fujiyamasan Jul 2025 #24
In a battle of wits, Trump is completely unarmed C_U_L8R Jul 2025 #26
That was my first thought, too! Colbert has a massive and devoted audience! Rhiannon12866 Jul 2025 #29
If you want to give Shari Redstone a big "Fuck you", another network should announce he's coming. Callie1979 Jul 2025 #30
"...purely a financial decision..." OldBaldy1701E Jul 2025 #32
once you give in to the bully, they are never satisfied rurallib Jul 2025 #37
CBS executives insisted in a statement that the cancellation was 'purely a financial decision'." Ray Bruns Jul 2025 #33
Skittles insists CBS executives are a bunch of Trump whores Skittles Jul 2025 #41
CBS Ray Bruns Jul 2025 #34
I must confess that I watch SC each morning streaming in YouTube... CapnSteve Jul 2025 #35
Like anyone believes this phony excuse! lark Jul 2025 #36
We allow it to happen. The Grand Illuminist Jul 2025 #38
An Eye for an Aye LetMyPeopleVote Jul 2025 #39
Colbert for Senator from SC. patricia92243 Jul 2025 #40

lostincalifornia

(4,916 posts)
2. I am sure it was, just like the 60 minutes. Did they get their orders by email or phone call from the WH?
Thu Jul 17, 2025, 06:37 PM
Jul 2025

FakeNoose

(40,218 posts)
3. OK! Now Stephen Colbert can say ANYTHING he wants ... he can just let it fly
Thu Jul 17, 2025, 06:41 PM
Jul 2025

Come on Stephen, make the MAGAs weep .... you've got nothing to lose!

Collimator

(2,081 posts)
5. Colbert, Meyers, SNL. . .
Thu Jul 17, 2025, 06:51 PM
Jul 2025

. . . Let's see how many go away because the Dictator-in-Chief can mock disabled people and call women fat pigs, but he can't take jokes making fun of him.

Diraven

(1,830 posts)
8. Oh man
Thu Jul 17, 2025, 07:17 PM
Jul 2025

I bet they're going to replace it with that Immigrant Hinger Games they were pitching a few months ago.

LetMyPeopleVote

(175,025 posts)
9. Stephen Colbert's show axed after blasting CBS-Trump deal as 'big fat bribe'
Thu Jul 17, 2025, 07:23 PM
Jul 2025

This firing is part of the bribe to trump to approve a merger. The 60 Minutes Settlement was stupid and bad. This firing is just another part of the bribe CBS is paying to trump

Stephen Colbert's show axed after blasting CBS-Trump deal as 'big fat bribe'

www.rawstory.com/stephen-colb...

Harriet Moses (@harrietmoses64.bsky.social) 2025-07-18T00:14:15.521Z

https://www.rawstory.com/stephen-colbert-2673354726/

CBS will end Stephen Colbert's "Late Show" next season after the comedian openly criticized the network and its parent company, Paramount, over a settlement with President Donald Trump.

CBS executives insisted in a statement that the cancellation was "purely a financial decision."

“We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire ‘The Late Show’ franchise” in May of 2026,” CBS executives said in a statement to Variety. “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.”.....

The news comes after Colbert blasted CBS's deal with Trump to settle his lawsuit — widely regarded by legal experts as frivolous — over their editing of a "60 Minutes" interview with then–Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign.

"I believe this kind of complicated financial sentiment with a sitting government official has a technical name in legal circles. It’s ‘big fat bribe,’ because it all comes as Paramount’s owners are trying to get the Trump administration to approve the sale of our network to a new owner, Skydance!" Colbert said.

ancianita

(42,907 posts)
10. I hope badass Colbert gets many more Emmys than he's already got.
Thu Jul 17, 2025, 07:43 PM
Jul 2025
Colbert has won nine Primetime Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards, and three Peabody Awards. Colbert was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in 2006 and 2012
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Colbert
Like Rachel and Lawrence, he's among the good Catholics.

CBS stands to lose Colbert's millions of viewers over this stupid decision.

BadgerMom

(3,380 posts)
25. If I can't watch Colbert, I won't watch CBS.
Fri Jul 18, 2025, 02:02 AM
Jul 2025

Buh-bye, CBS. “Tiffany network,” my a$$.

IzzaNuDay

(1,241 posts)
27. One of 4 shows I watch on CBS
Fri Jul 18, 2025, 02:26 AM
Jul 2025

Colbert and 60 minutes. Expect 60 minutes to go down as well.
The other two are game shows. And I don’t see them often either.
Buh bye Chicken Broadcasting Network!

Rebl2

(17,416 posts)
12. Haven't
Thu Jul 17, 2025, 08:11 PM
Jul 2025

watched any of the late evening shows in years because I am usually falling asleep 💤.

Rhiannon12866

(250,411 posts)
28. The late night monologues are posted right here on DU along with any political guests
Fri Jul 18, 2025, 04:59 AM
Jul 2025

I post Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers and TexasTowelie posts Jimmy Kimmel and The Daily Show.

SpankMe

(3,658 posts)
13. Please, Stephen, find a new home!
Thu Jul 17, 2025, 08:12 PM
Jul 2025

Colbert does the best anti-Trump comedy, satire and analysis on TV. Another major network should pick him up. There aren't a lot. But, I hope Netflix and HBO are taking a look.

pstokely

(10,852 posts)
19. The late night format doesn't translate well to streaming
Thu Jul 17, 2025, 10:12 PM
Jul 2025

Last edited Tue Jul 22, 2025, 11:28 PM - Edit history (1)

Like how the radio morning drive format doesn't translate well to podcasts, it will have to a different format than doesn't have to be watched within 24 hours

underpants

(194,984 posts)
31. This really fell into his lap. Dave called him up pretty much out of the blue
Fri Jul 18, 2025, 06:10 AM
Jul 2025

I saw Colbert on Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars getting Coffee and he said after the Colbert Report he was basically retiring. Dave called him and wanted him to take over the spot.

2naSalit

(100,078 posts)
14. Bullshit.
Thu Jul 17, 2025, 08:16 PM
Jul 2025

They canceled the Smothers Brothers during a heated political time too. Chicken shits.


tonekat

(2,452 posts)
20. I just saw this on the 11pm news
Thu Jul 17, 2025, 10:24 PM
Jul 2025

And the first thing I thought was, this is part of the Sharon Redstone/Trump deal, he demanded this and she was too happy to sell out.

Damn it.

fujiyamasan

(1,234 posts)
24. This is pretty chilling
Fri Jul 18, 2025, 01:02 AM
Jul 2025

If you pay attention to autocratic regimes, humor is one of the first things they go after.

And so is a media that is so cowed into submission.

Don’t forget what happened to Jon Stewart and his Apple show. Once he had segments critical of china, Apple yanked it.


C_U_L8R

(48,892 posts)
26. In a battle of wits, Trump is completely unarmed
Fri Jul 18, 2025, 02:26 AM
Jul 2025

Mssr Colbert will rise again to greater heights and popularity.
CBS is the real loser here.

Callie1979

(1,153 posts)
30. If you want to give Shari Redstone a big "Fuck you", another network should announce he's coming.
Fri Jul 18, 2025, 05:26 AM
Jul 2025

His ratings were good & had been RISING
And the cancellation coming a YEAR from now is very odd

OldBaldy1701E

(10,204 posts)
32. "...purely a financial decision..."
Fri Jul 18, 2025, 07:00 AM
Jul 2025

Yeah, the fact that you are afraid of being attacked by that orange gibbon and his cronies. Plus, that sweet merger deal that you want so badly.

So, bend over, CBS! Kiss that golden ring! Grovel like you mean it!

Or, else... eh?

rurallib

(64,556 posts)
37. once you give in to the bully, they are never satisfied
Fri Jul 18, 2025, 08:06 AM
Jul 2025

Another scalp for the FIWH (Felon In The White House) revenge tour

Ray Bruns

(5,985 posts)
33. CBS executives insisted in a statement that the cancellation was 'purely a financial decision'."
Fri Jul 18, 2025, 07:06 AM
Jul 2025

And I have a bridge for sale in Brooklyn, cheap.

CapnSteve

(391 posts)
35. I must confess that I watch SC each morning streaming in YouTube...
Fri Jul 18, 2025, 07:15 AM
Jul 2025

…so no $ support coming from me to CBS.

I am looking forward to Stephen taking the gloves off for the next 10 months.

With all the Emmys his show will win, and the new viewers he will gain, the decision may very well be reversed after TACO approves the Skydance acquisition.

lark

(25,903 posts)
36. Like anyone believes this phony excuse!
Fri Jul 18, 2025, 07:43 AM
Jul 2025

I call total bullshit and more signs of Paramount caving to the wanna be king.

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