The announcement of Stephen Colbert's final episode on "The Late Show" has sent ripples through the entertainment world, revealing a significant turning point in late-night television. Mark your calendars: May 21 marks the end of an era as CBS prepares to conclude Colbert's tenure on the show, a revelation first reported by Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter. Colbert himself disclosed this news during his appearance on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" on January 27, which had been recorded the day prior.
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives of "The Late Show" for additional insights.
LateNighter was the first outlet to break this story.
This announcement follows a surprise revelation made by Colbert back in July, when he shared that the show's parent company, Paramount Global, had decided to cancel the program after an impressive run of over three decades. "We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire 'The Late Show' franchise at that time," the company stated. They expressed pride in Colbert's association with CBS, underscoring the impact he has had on the network.
Interestingly, this decision appears to be rooted in financial considerations rather than the quality or content of the show itself. According to the official statement, it was described as a "purely financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night," emphasizing that it had no correlation to the show's performance or any other issues at Paramount.
This major shift in programming comes at a time when Paramount is navigating various financial challenges, including a contentious $16 million settlement with former President Donald Trump related to a defamation lawsuit stemming from a "60 Minutes" interview with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. This payment was labeled a "big fat bribe" by Colbert during his fiery monologue on July 14, highlighting his critical stance on the matter.
The controversial settlement raised eyebrows, with many viewing it as a maneuver to facilitate the studio's impending sale to Skydance Media, which required regulatory approval from the Trump administration. On July 24, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) green-lit the $8.4 billion merger, further entrenching the complexities surrounding this corporate strategy.
Adding to the tension within the late-night landscape, the FCC recently issued new guidance indicating that daytime and late-night talk shows are not exempt from certain broadcasting regulations. This notice, released on January 21, underscores a longstanding requirement for FCC licensees to provide equal airtime to political candidates, a rule that was amended in 1959 to exempt specific news-related formats.
During the January 22 episode of "The Late Show," Colbert criticized the new FCC guidance, suggesting it was an attempt to curb his voice and those of his peers, including Seth Meyers and Jimmy Kimmel, who faced temporary suspension pressures from the FCC. Colbert humorously remarked, "Hey, I'm flattered you think that appearing on my show has the power to affect politics in any way, OK? I've been doing this job for 21 years, and let me tell you something, buddy. If our government had turned out the way I had chosen, you would not have the power to make this announcement."
Colbert's journey in late-night television began nearly a decade ago when he took over "The Late Show" on September 8, 2015, succeeding David Letterman, who hosted for nearly 22 years. As we look toward the conclusion of Colbert's run, one can't help but wonder what this means for the future of late-night programming and how audiences will react to such a significant shift.
What do you think about the cancellation of such an iconic show? Is it a sign of changing times in television, or do you believe Colbert’s legacy will continue to influence the genre? Share your thoughts below!
