The cancellation of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on CBS has sent ripples throughout the entertainment industry, prompting an outpouring of support and reactions from fellow late-night hosts, celebrities, and politicians. CBS announced on Thursday, July 17, 2025, that the show would end in May 2026, citing "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night". The news has triggered a wave of responses, with many expressing shock, disappointment, and even suspicion about the true reasons behind the cancellation.
Fellow late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Seth Meyers all shared their reactions on Instagram. Fallon and Meyers sent heartfelt messages of love and support to Colbert. Kimmel, however, was more direct, calling out CBS directly.
Beyond the late-night circuit, numerous celebrities have also voiced their support for Colbert. Andy Cohen called it “a sad day for late-night television” and “a sad day for CBS”. Rachel Zegler wrote, “I am extremely sad...I adore you, Stephen”. Adam Scott also expressed his affection, writing, “Love you Stephen”. Judd Apatow wished Colbert well and said he was excited to see what Colbert would create now that he is "set free". Jamie Lee Curtis called the news "bad" and said Colbert is a "great great guy".
The cancellation has also sparked political debate, with some suggesting that Colbert's frequent criticisms of President Donald Trump may have played a role. Senator Adam Schiff, who was a guest on Thursday's show, tweeted, "If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know". Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, as well as Representative Pramila Jayapal, echoed this call for answers. Warren stated that CBS canceled Colbert’s show just three days after he called out CBS's parent company Paramount for its $16 million settlement with Trump.
CBS, however, insists that the cancellation was "not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount". The network emphasized that it was a "purely financial decision" due to the challenging economic environment for late-night television. The decline in advertising revenue and the shift in viewership towards streaming services have made it increasingly difficult for traditional late-night shows to remain profitable.
The state of late-night TV has been evolving, with viewers increasingly turning to streaming services and online platforms for entertainment. This trend has led to a decline in viewership for traditional late-night shows, impacting their advertising revenue. While "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" has consistently topped the ratings charts, averaging 2.417 million viewers in the second quarter of 2025, it has not been immune to these challenges. The show was up 1% from the previous quarter.
The cancellation of "The Late Show" marks the end of an era for CBS, as the network will retire "The Late Show" franchise altogether. While the reasons for the cancellation remain a subject of debate, the outpouring of support for Colbert highlights his significant impact on late-night television and his ability to connect with audiences on a personal and political level. It also raises questions about the future of the late-night format and the challenges it faces in a rapidly changing media landscape.
