The decision, described by CBS as “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” has sparked widespread speculation about the underlying reasons, with many pointing to political pressures tied to Paramount’s pending merger with Skydance Media and a recent legal settlement with President Donald Trump. As fans and critics alike process this news, it’s a moment to reflect on the legacy of The Late Show, its hosts, and Stephen Colbert’s transformative tenure.
A Brief History of The Late Show
The Late Show debuted on CBS in August 1993, with David Letterman as its founding host. Letterman, fresh from his time at NBC’s Late Night, brought his signature irreverence, wit, and innovative segments like the “Top Ten List” and “Stupid Human Tricks” to the 11:35 p.m. slot, establishing the show as a late-night powerhouse. For 22 years, Letterman’s blend of humor and celebrity interviews made The Late Show a cultural touchstone, competing fiercely with NBC’s The Tonight Show. When Letterman retired in May 2015, he left behind a legacy that had redefined late-night television.
Enter Stephen Colbert, who took the reins in September 2015. Colbert was no stranger to the spotlight, having risen to fame as a correspondent on The Daily Show and then as the host of The Colbert Report on Comedy Central, where he played a satirical conservative pundit. His transition to The Late Show required a shift from his fictional persona to his authentic self, a challenge he initially faced with mixed reception. However, by 2016, particularly during the Trump presidency, Colbert found his stride, leaning into sharp political commentary that resonated with audiences. Under his stewardship, The Late Show became the top-rated late-night program, averaging 2.417 million viewers across recent episodes and dominating the time slot for nine consecutive seasons.[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2025/07/17/stephen-colbert-canceled-late-show-ending/)[](https://apnews.com/article/stephen-colbert-late-show-cbs-end-8bad9f16f076df62c0ffc50e9c8adbab)
Stephen Colbert: The Man Behind the Desk
Stephen Colbert’s tenure on The Late Show was marked by his incisive humor, quick wit, and willingness to tackle controversial topics. His monologues often took aim at political figures, none more prominently than Donald Trump, whose policies and actions provided endless fodder for Colbert’s biting satire. This approach galvanized viewers, particularly during Trump’s first and second terms, propelling The Late Show to ratings victories unseen in decades. Colbert’s ability to blend humor with pointed social commentary made the show a staple of the cultural zeitgeist, resonating across digital platforms and social media.[](https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/17/media/cbs-cancels-stephen-colbert)
Beyond politics, Colbert brought warmth and authenticity to his interviews, hosting a diverse array of guests, from musicians and actors to politicians like Senator Adam Schiff and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. His emotional connection with his audience and crew—evident when he thanked his 200 staffers during the cancellation announcement—underscored his commitment to the show’s legacy.[](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/jul/18/the-late-show-with-stephen-colbert-to-end-in-2026-as-cbs-cancels-show)[](https://www.thewrap.com/stephen-colbert-late-show-cancellation-announcement-emotional-monologue-cbs-video/)
The Cancellation: Financial or Political?
CBS’s official statement insists that the cancellation is a financial necessity, driven by the declining economics of late-night television. With audiences increasingly turning to streaming platforms and social media for bite-sized content, traditional late-night shows face mounting financial pressures. Yet, the timing of the decision—coming just days after Colbert criticized Paramount’s $16 million settlement with Trump over a 60 Minutes lawsuit—has fueled speculation that politics played a role.[](https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/media/2025/07/17/is-stephen-colbert-canceled/85265172007/)[](https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/breaking-cbs-cancels-late-show-with-stephen-colbert-weeks-after-trump-settlement/)
Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company, is navigating a high-stakes $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media, which requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under the Trump administration. Colbert, a vocal Trump critic, called the settlement a “big fat bribe” to secure FCC approval, a comment that some believe may have sealed the show’s fate. Democratic Senators Adam Schiff and Elizabeth Warren have publicly questioned whether the cancellation was politically motivated, with Schiff stating, “If Paramount and CBS ended The Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.” Warren echoed this sentiment, noting the suspicious timing—just three days after Colbert’s remarks.[](https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/5407636-cbs-ending-colbert-the-late-show/)[](https://www.foxnews.com/media/colbert-slams-paramount-settling-trump-accuses-his-parent-company-offering-big-fat-bribe)[](https://www.thewrap.com/stephen-colbert-late-show-cancellation-announcement-emotional-monologue-cbs-video/)
Others suggest that CBS’s decision may stem from fear following their legal loss to Trump. The 60 Minutes lawsuit, which Trump filed over an edited interview with Kamala Harris, was widely considered meritless by legal experts, yet Paramount settled for $16 million, prompting criticism from media watchdogs and journalists. Some speculate that CBS, wary of further antagonizing Trump, chose to eliminate a show led by one of his most prominent critics to avoid additional legal or regulatory backlash.[](https://www.foxnews.com/media/colbert-slams-paramount-settling-trump-accuses-his-parent-company-offering-big-fat-bribe)
On the other hand, CBS and Paramount executives, including George Cheeks, Amy Reisenbach, and David Stapf, have adamantly denied any political motivations, emphasizing that the decision was purely financial and unrelated to the show’s content or performance. The truth may lie in a combination of factors: the challenging economics of late-night TV, coupled with the delicate political dynamics surrounding the Skydance merger.[](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-late-show-stephen-colbert-end-may-2026/)[](https://www.thewrap.com/stephen-colbert-late-show-cancellation-announcement-emotional-monologue-cbs-video/)
A Lasting Legacy
As The Late Show with Stephen Colbert prepares to sign off in May 2026, it leaves behind a remarkable legacy. For over three decades, the show has been a cornerstone of late-night television, evolving from Letterman’s quirky brilliance to Colbert’s politically charged humor. Its influence extends beyond the small screen, inspiring parodies like the fictional Murray Franklin Show in the 2019 film Joker, where Robert De Niro’s talk show host became a cultural reference point.
The Late Show will be missed. At times, its overtly progressive stance—what some called “woke” sensibilities—alienated viewers who preferred less polarized humor. Yet, its sharp writing, memorable monologues, and Colbert’s undeniable charisma made it a reliably entertaining and often hilarious fixture in late-night TV. As we bid farewell to this historic program, we honor its place in television history—a show that dared to speak truth to power, made us laugh, and left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape.
Sources:
New York Times, CNN, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, The Washington Post, CBS News, posts on X*[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/business/stephen-colbert-late-show-ending.html)[](https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/17/media/cbs-cancels-stephen-colbert)[](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/cbs-ending-late-show-stephen-colbert-2026-1236319194/)
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