Stephen Colbert has cancelled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, end date May 2026. The late-night program, which has aired at 11:30 PM since Colbert took the helm in 2015, will conclude due to financial reasons, according to CBS. The program originated in 1993 with then-host David Letterman. It became hugely popular for more than two decades, up through Letterman’s retirement in 2015.
As many know, Colbert’s career came into full bloom with The Colbert Report. There, he made his mark, as much with his barbed humor as his clear-eyed political analysis. Under his stewardship, “The Late Show” became a fixture of late-night television. Most notably, it humorously and insightfully addressed topical issues. CBS’s recent decision to cancel the show has devastated fans and thrown former colleagues into disarray.
High profile members of the entertainment community took to twitter to voice their disappointment with the cancellation. Judd Apatow, a notable filmmaker and comedian, praised Colbert’s contributions to television, stating, “My admiration and appreciation for you is bottomless.” Beyond that, though, he conveyed glee at the prospects of Colbert’s new direction.
Jimmy Kimmel, host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” expressed his shock over the series’ cancellation. He highlighted Colbert’s talent and impact on late-night television, saying, “I’m just as shocked as everyone. Stephen is one of the sharpest, funniest hosts to ever do it.”
The cancellation sent shockwaves through the political establishment, with reactions coming pretty much instantly from every side, including then-President Donald Trump, who rejoiced at the decision. Trump remarked, “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired,” adding that Colbert’s talent was “even less than his ratings.” He predicted the departure of other late-night hosts, predicting that Kimmel would be the next.
Friends and fans of the show have taken to social media to express their disappointment and grief. Actor Adam Scott expressed his disappointment on social media, saying, “Love you, Stephen this is absolute b”
