CBS to cancel ‘Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ — Page 2

Ensemble1671017357 said: "Colbert cost $100 million per season to produce andlost $40 million per year. Colbert was being paid $15 to $20 million, according to industry sources via Puck."

Right, it's not that Paramount is above canceling a TV show to appease Trump, but CBS had to change the status quo no matter what. The main options were either canceling Late Show or figure out how to cut like $50M from the production budget, so the show could be profitable again.

Blow Gabriel said: "It really feels like theater going is becoming cool again. There are theaters being restored all across the land and I think we are going to start to see this on Broadway as well. I want all those theaters on 42nd street to rise once again"

The only reason Jimmy Fallon is hanging on the way he does is because he’s barely running a late night talk show at all: he’s running a goofy sketch/variety show hybrid with guest chat. He’s generating material for socials and streams, not longform content.


The “Wicked Rap” went so viral it almost became part of the movie in public consciousness. There are hundreds of bootleg copies uploaded as podcasts on Spotify since it wasn’t an official release. As long as Lorne Michaels (or at least the Broadway Video empire) stands, I’m betting Fallon’s show will outlast all the others.

I was on youtube the other day and saw a few old clips of the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. In his days, he had stars on to entertain you. You may see somebody like John Wayne, Frank Sinatra or upcoming comic named Jerry Seinfeld (lol). Letterman had great guests over the years like Robin Williams, a young Sarah Jessica Parker and Cher for example. Always loved the show when Cher called Dave a**hole and when Sonny and Cher sang "I Got You Babe" together for the first time in decades. Letterman would make you laugh with his "Top Ten" list or "Stupid Pet Tricks". Fast forward to current days and Colbert has Adam Schiff as a guest, don't think anybody is going to watch because Schiff is a guest - ha ha. He also had that person who everybody can't wait to see on late night show, the one and only Chuck Schumer - OMG. Colbert's monologue is more suited for MSNBC appearance than late night show.

Maybe the late-night genre is finished especially with the younger demographic who watch Tik-Tok and YouTube. IMO at that hour, people want to have some laughs, enjoy a musical artist and not hear about politics. A couple of topical political jokes are fine, but it was overdone by Colbert. Never found Colbert funny, Fallon is a bunch better.

Updated On: 7/20/25 at 11:36 AM

Check the complete schedule of any week on Colbert and you will find ample celebrities as guests. And Seth Meyers is as, if not more often, political in his monologues than Colbert.

Updated On: 7/20/25 at 12:43 PM

Late night is dying (the Jimmys have never been funny) but this move was completely political given the weird timing. Colbert will find something else, he is a talented guy.

True, late night is on the decline but this was most definitely politically motivated. Paramount is trying to complete a merger with Skydance that was supposed to have closed at the beginning of the year. The FCC review has been extended 90 days twice already.

They already had to pay $16 million to settle a totally baseless lawsuit from Trump cause they know he has the power to tell the FCC to kill the merger. As we know, the president is certainly not above being petty especially when it comes to silencing critics, and Colbert hasn't been quiet about his criticism of the administration- nor should he be.

Getting rid of Colbert is most definitely a move to appease Trump so he doesn't kill the deal and CBS can use the excuse of 'late night is dying' as cover.

Updated On: 7/20/25 at 02:18 PM

ACL2006 said: "Sutton Ross said: "Late night is dying (the Jimmys have never been funny) but this move was completely political given the weird timing. Colbert will find something else, he is a talented guy."

Considering how Comedy Central isn't doing well, you have to wonder if The Daily Show is next. Comedy Central doesn't produce any original shows outside of The Daily Show these days."

I’m pretty certain Paramount is intentionally sabotaging the premiere of the new season of South Park because they’d rather shut Comedy Central down.

"Check the complete schedule of any week on Colbert and you will find ample celebrities as guests"

Never said Colbert did not have guests but questioning choice of having politicians. I would make exception for somebody like Obama who has the stature of being a POTUS plus he has charisma. Nobody turns on Colbert to see somebody like Schiff or Schumer.