The End of an Era
On Monday night, Stephen Colbert made his return to television after the shocking news that CBS had decided to end “The Late Show” in May 2026. This historic franchise, which has held the top spot in late-night ratings for nine consecutive seasons, came to an abrupt end, leaving many in disbelief.
Colbert kicked off his monologue with a bold statement: “Cancel culture has gone too far.” He expressed gratitude for the support he received over the weekend and hinted at a more unrestrained approach in the coming months. “The gloves are off! I can finally speak unvarnished truth to power and say what I really think about Donald Trump,” he said, directly addressing the camera. “I don’t care for him.”
The decision to cancel “The Late Show” stunned a wide range of people, from comedians and celebrities to politicians and viewers. Many questioned the timing, especially given that Colbert had recently criticized Paramount, the parent company of CBS, for paying a $16 million settlement over Trump’s claims of an unfairly edited “60 Minutes” interview. The move came just as Paramount was seeking approval from the Federal Communications Commission, led by Trump-picked chairman Brendan Carr, for a $8 billion merger with Skydance Media.
CBS issued a statement calling the cancellation an “agonizing decision” and emphasizing that it was purely a financial choice. However, Colbert raised doubts about this explanation, pointing out that the show was still No. 1 in ratings. “How could it purely be a financial decision if ‘The Late Show’ is No. 1 in ratings? It’s confusing,” he said, drawing cheers from the audience.
He also mentioned a leaked report suggesting that the show loses between $40 and $50 million annually, citing falling ratings and advertising revenue. “$40 million’s a big number,” Colbert joked. “I could see us losing $24 million, but where would Paramount have possibly spent the other $16 million?” He then compared the situation to Red Lobster’s bankruptcy, quipping, “I told them we should stop offering the audience unlimited shrimp!”
A Celebration of Friendship and Music
Despite the somber news, Colbert wanted to ensure the show ended on a positive note. He brought out musical guests like “Weird Al” Yankovic and Lin-Manuel Miranda to lift everyone’s spirits. They performed a parody of a viral clip involving a CEO cuddling with his human resources chief at a Coldplay concert, which had been featured on the Jumbotron.
The show also featured appearances from various TV hosts and celebrities, including Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, John Oliver, Jon Stewart, Adam Sandler, and Christopher McDonald. Even Triumph the Insult Comic Dog made an appearance, adding a touch of humor to the evening.
Colbert then played a cartoon of Trump hugging the Paramount logo, only for it to quickly duck when the camera approached. A note from corporate informed him that the song had been canceled, claiming it was a purely financial decision. “That’s impossible, that song was a No. 1 song!” Miranda exclaimed, questioning whether the cancellation was related to the spotlight on Trump.
A Powerful Message from Sandra Oh
Guest Sandra Oh expressed her sadness and outrage over the show’s cancellation, stating, “Not only for yourself and for this entire family who are here, but for what it means, what it is, where we are in our culture and what that means for free speech.” She concluded with a strong message: “To CBS and Paramount: A plague on both of your houses.”
Colbert responded with a smile, acknowledging the support he had received. However, Oh wasn’t finished, adding, “And also, a pox on all those who they serve.”
Jon Stewart’s Take on the Situation
Jon Stewart, who has a long history with Colbert from their early Comedy Central days, addressed the issue on “The Daily Show.” He acknowledged the financial challenges facing late-night TV, comparing it to “operating a Blockbuster kiosk inside of a Tower Records.” However, he grew increasingly heated, questioning whether CBS had to end the No. 1, three-decade-spanning franchise.
Stewart pointed to Trump’s recent social media post expressing delight over Colbert’s potential firing. “My God! When CDs stopped selling, they didn’t just go ‘Oh well! Music, it’s been a good run.’” He argued that the shows that contributed to Paramount’s success were the ones that took a stand and spoke out.
“I think the answer is in the fear and pre-compliance that is gripping all of America’s institutions at this very moment,” Stewart concluded, highlighting the broader implications of the decision.