CBS Slammed For Axing Stephen Colbert’s Late-Night Show

CBS’ decision to end The Late Show in 2026 has shocked Hollywood and loyal viewers alike.

CBS canceled Colbert’s show after he called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16-M settlement with Trump. (Photo: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Facebook)

The network recently announced it would cancel its long-running late-night talk show—hosted by Stephen Colbert for the past decade—citing financial difficulties, Rolling Stone’s Emily Zemler reported.

Colbert responded during his monologue, telling viewers, “I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”

He added, “The folks at CBS have been great partners,” though his remarks were met with boos from the live audience. Thanking his crew of 200 people and the show’s audience, Colbert said, “It is a fantastic job. I wish someone else was getting it. And it’s a job I look forward to doing with this usual gang of idiots for another 10 months.”

Jimmy Kimmel, host of Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC, shared Colbert’s video on Instagram with the caption, “Love you Stephen. F*** you and all your Sheldons, CBS.”

Celebrities and regular guests voiced their dismay.

“Sorry to hear @CBS is canceling one of the best shows they have,” wrote Ben Stiller on X. “Wishing all the people who work so hard on that show all the best.”

On Anderson Cooper 360, the host paid tribute to The Late Show.

“I just want to take a minute to say how shocked and truly saddened I am by the news that this show will be canceled,” Cooper said. “Stephen Colbert is smart, and he is funny, and he has actual conversations with people on his program.”

Comedian Michael Ian Black posted on Bluesky, “Congrats to Stephen Colbert for never bending the knee.” Andy Richter, a veteran of late-night TV, wrote, “Stephen Colbert is a profoundly good and deeply talented man with a great staff and an excellent show. They all deserve better.”

Senator Elizabeth Warren questioned the network’s motives.

“CBS canceled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after he called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump—a deal that looks like bribery,” she wrote on X.

“America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.”