Posted in: CBS, TV | Tagged: colbert, stephen colbert

Stephen Colbert Addresses "The Late Show" Ending with Studio Audience

During the taping of the opening to tonight's show, Stephen Colbert addressed with the audience the news that "The Late Show" was ending.

Earlier this evening, the news broke that CBS's The Late Show with Stephen Colbert would be ending its run in May 2026, and that Paramount would be retiring "The Late Show" franchise at the same time – another nail in network late-night talk shows' coffin. During the taped opening to tonight's show, Stephen Colbert addressed the move with the audience (and with viewers when it airs tonight). "Before we start the show, I want to let you know something that I found out just last night. Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending 'The Late Show' in May. And…," Colbert shared, before being cut off by boos from the audience.

Colbert continued, "Yeah, I share your feelings. It's not just the end of our show, but it's the end of 'The Late Show' on CBS. I'm not being replaced. This is all just going away. And I do want to say… [pauses for boos] I do want to say that the folks at CBS have been great partners. I'm so grateful to the 'Tiffany Network' for giving me this chair and this beautiful theater to call home. And, of course, I'm grateful to you [points at camera], the audience, who have joined us [pauses for audience cheers and applause] every night, in here, out there, all around the world, Mr. and Mrs. America, and all of the ships at sea."

From there, Colbert called out and thanked the show's band and the 200+ people who make sure the show hits our screens on a regular basis, sharing how they made the show as much for each other as for the audience and viewers at home. Before moving on with the show, Colbert added, "I wish somebody else was getting it. And it's a job I'm looking forward to doing with this usual gang of idiots for another ten months. It's gonna be fun. Y'all ready?" 

The news of the late-night show's end and Colbert's departure comes amid growing rumblings that Skydance would be looking to part ways with both Colbert and The Daily Show anchor Jon Stewart once its deal to own Paramount is complete. In addition, it comes at the end of a week that saw Colbert call out parent company Paramount Global over its settlement with POtuS Donald Trump over a lawsuit that Trump filed over a 60 Minutes interview, referring to it as a "big fat bribe" during his first show back from break.

Colbert's "bribe" comment hits on the feeling that many have in the entertainment and news industries that the $16 million settlement was nothing more that a way to make the ongoing merger process much smoother. "I am offended," Colbert shared with the audience and viewers on Monday night during his opener. "I don't know if anything — anything — will repair my trust in this company. But, just taking a stab at it, I'd say $16 million would help."

CBS Entertainment released the following statement from George Cheeks, Co-CEO Paramount Global and President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS, Amy Reisenbach, President, CBS Entertainment, and David Stapf, President, CBS Studios, offering their side of the decision. "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. 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 statement read.

The statement continues, "Our admiration, affection, and respect for the talents of Stephen Colbert and his incredible team made this agonizing decision even more difficult. Stephen has taken CBS late night by storm with cutting-edge comedy, a must-watch monologue, and interviews with leaders in entertainment, politics, news, and newsmakers across all areas. The show has been #1 in late night for nine straight seasons; Stephen's comedy resonates daily across digital and social media; and the broadcast is a staple of the nation's zeitgeist."

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