Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Dustin Rowles | TV | July 17, 2025
After criticizing Paramount’s decision to settle with Donald Trump earlier this week, and amid speculation that Paramount may not renew Colbert’s contract next year, it’s been announced that The Late Show has been cancelled, effective at the end of next season.
The studio cited financial reasons.
“We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire ‘The Late Show’ franchise” in May of 2026,” CBS executives said in a statement. “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.”
Bullshit.
Late-night television may not be the cash cow that it once was, but The Late Show was the top-rated late-night show on television, and it has been for years. With the Skydance merger on the horizon, there’s no doubt that Paramount made their decision — only days after Colbert criticized the network — with the merger in mind.
I don’t know what Skydance thinks they’re getting out of this merger, but the reputation of 60 Minutes is in tatters, and the top-rated late-night show is ending. Seems like a lousy purchase to me. Enjoy the endless Taylor Sheridan series.
Colbert made the announcement in a taping for tonight’s show.
The house that Letterman built will be no more.
