Studying Time: 3 minutes
The Late Present is coming to an finish.
No, Stephen Colbert isn’t being fired. Neither is he quitting this system.
CBS has merely determined that subsequent yr would be the closing one for the sequence. EVER.
Stephen Colbert attends SNL50: The Anniversary Particular on February 16, 2025 in New York Metropolis. (Photograph by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Pictures)
Earlier than we begin the present I wish to let you already know one thing that I came upon simply final evening,” Colbert stated to open the newest episode’s taping. “Next year will be our last season, the network [CBS] will be ending The Late Show in May.”
A clearly shocked viewers responded to this announcement with loud boos.
“I share your feelings. It’s not just the end of our show but it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS,” Colbert went on.
“I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away. I do want to say that the folks at CBS have been great partners … And I’m grateful to the audience, you, who have joined us every night, in here, out there, and all around the world.”
Colbert additionally thanked his band and the 200 crew members which have labored alongside of him.
“We get to do this show for each other everyday all day,” he continued, including that he needs “somebody else” would get it after his departure.
Alas.
Stephen Colbert introduces an Night with Jon Bon Jovi through the thirteenth Annual Montclair Movie Pageant on the New Jersey Performing Arts Heart (NJPAC) on October 26, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photograph by Michael Loccisano/Getty Pictures)
We don’t know if any of that is associated, however the affirmation got here two days after Colbert spoke out in opposition to Paramount International, guardian firm of his community CBS, after it settled with President Donald Trump over a 60 Minutes story.
“I am offended,” Colbert stated in his monologue Monday night. “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.”
He stated the technical identify in authorized circles for the deal was “big fat bribe.”
For its half, Paramount and CBS executives stated in a press release the cancellation “is only a monetary determination in opposition to a difficult backdrop in late evening. It isn’t associated in any solution to the present’s efficiency, content material or different issues occurring at Paramount…
“Our admiration, affection and respect for the abilities of Stephen Colbert and his unbelievable group made this agonizing determination much more troublesome…
“The accomplishments of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert are memorable and significant in performance, quality and stature. With much gratitude, we look forward to honoring Stephen and celebrating the show over the next 10 months alongside its millions of fans and viewers.”
Stephen Colbert arrives at Paley Fest LA 2024 – “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” on the Dolby Theatre on April 21, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photograph by Kevin Winter/Getty Pictures)
The Late Present started in 1993 and hosted by David Letterman till September 2015 when Colbert changed him. They’ve been the one two hosts.
Based mostly on numbers alone, compared to different late-night discuss present, the sequence was successful.
The latest rankings from Nielsen state that Colbert is successful his timeslot, averaging about 2.417 million viewers throughout 41 new episodes. It additionally stated his late evening present was the one one to achieve viewers up to now in 2025.
