The date has been set for the last episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, which is scheduled to air on May 21. This announcement was made by Colbert himself during a taping of NBC's Late Night With Seth Meyers, where he is set to appear as a guest. Colbert has been the host of this popular late-night program since 2015.
In July, CBS had already disclosed that The Late Show would be concluding its run in May 2026, marking over three decades since its inception in 1993 with David Letterman at the helm. Colbert expressed to his audience that this isn’t merely the conclusion of his tenure, but rather signifies the end of The Late Show altogether on CBS. He poignantly stated, "I’m not being replaced – this is all just going away." However, at that time, the specific date of the final episode remained unannounced.
The cancellation news came shortly after a significant settlement of $16 million was reached between Paramount, CBS’s parent company, and Donald Trump regarding claims of misleading editing in a 60 Minutes interview featuring Kamala Harris. Meanwhile, Paramount was also preparing for an $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media, which required federal approval. Just days before the cancellation was made public, Colbert had referred to the settlement as a "big fat bribe," adding a layer of intrigue to the unfolding events.
CBS characterized the show's cancellation as a "purely financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night," emphasizing that it was not influenced by the show’s performance, content, or any other ongoing issues at Paramount. Yet, this decision ignited feelings of outrage and sorrow among fans, entertainers, and politicians alike. Notably, Bernie Sanders voiced his skepticism on social media, speculating whether Colbert's critical remarks about the settlement may have played a role in his departure, stating, "Stephen Colbert, an extraordinary talent and the most popular late night host, slams the deal. Days later, he’s fired. Do I think this is a coincidence? NO." In stark contrast, Trump took to Truth Social to express his delight over Colbert’s exit, writing, "I absolutely love that Colbert got fired."
In the months leading up to the show's finale, Colbert has persistently ridiculed the Trump administration. Recently, he reflected on the exhausting nature of the past year under Trump’s presidency, lamenting that the former president has perpetually captured the public's attention with "some new Trump horror" dominating the news cycle. Colbert remarked, "The last year has been exhausting. And not just for us. That’s why Trump’s always falling asleep."
As we approach the final curtain for this iconic late-night series, what do you think about the circumstances surrounding its cancellation? Is it purely a financial maneuver, or do you see deeper implications at play? Share your thoughts!
