The End of an Era for CBS’s Late-Night Show
Late-night talk shows have long held a significant place in the American media landscape. They serve as both entertainment and commentary, often shaping public opinion and reflecting cultural trends. When news broke that CBS would be canceling its late-night program, “The Late Show,” after more than three decades, it sent shockwaves through the industry. The announcement marked the end of an era, prompting a wave of reactions from fellow hosts, fans, and even political figures.
Stephen Colbert, the host of “The Late Show” since 2015, has been a central figure in this world. His departure from the show, set to conclude next May, has left many in disbelief and sadness. Colleagues and peers have taken to social media and interviews to express their feelings about the decision. Jimmy Fallon, another prominent late-night host, shared his disappointment, calling Colbert one of the sharpest and funniest hosts ever. He humorously mentioned that he had hoped to “ride this out with him for years to come,” adding that his friends and family would now need a new 11:30pm routine.
Seth Meyers echoed similar sentiments, highlighting that Colbert is not only a great comedian but also an even better person. He joked that Colbert can no longer use the excuse of being too busy to hang out. John Oliver, host of “Last Week Tonight,” described the news as “terrible” and “very, very, very sad.” He recalled how late-night shows have always meant a lot to him, even growing up in England, where he watched David Letterman’s show, which he considered glamorous.
Jimmy Kimmel kept his reaction brief, simply saying, “Love you Stephen,” while Andy Cohen called it “a very sad day for CBS,” describing the network as “turning off the lights after the news.” However, not everyone was mourning the loss. US President Donald Trump, a frequent target of Colbert’s monologues, took to Truth Social to express his delight at the news, stating, “I absolutely love that Colbert was fired.”
Colbert, who is 61 years old, revealed to his audience at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York that he had only just been informed of the decision. He told them, “Next year will be our last season. It’s the end of ‘The Late Show’ on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.” The crowd responded with groans and boos, and Colbert acknowledged their feelings, saying, “Yeah, I share your feelings.”
CBS has stated that the cancellation was a purely financial decision, citing the challenging landscape of late-night television. In a joint statement, senior executives praised the show as “a staple of the nation’s zeitgeist.” However, the timing of the announcement raised questions. It came just three days after Colbert criticized the legal settlement between Donald Trump and Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company, regarding a dispute over a 60 Minutes segment. Two U.S. senators have since called for transparency, questioning whether the show’s end is truly about the bottom line.
Colbert took over “The Late Show” in 2015, following David Letterman’s retirement. Over nearly a decade, he transformed the program into one of the most politically pointed and consistently sharp voices on American television. He regularly skewered Trump and other political figures with satirical precision. Now, with 10 months left, fans and fellow comedians are watching closely to see how Colbert plans to wrap things up. As John Oliver put it, “That man will not stop.”
