CBS Ends Late Show Amid Paramount Settlement and Merger Lobbying
The broadcaster cited economic reasons for the cancellation of the ratings-leading programme, which coincides with parent company Paramount’s $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump and its pursuit of a $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media.
Stephen Colbert hosted the final episode of CBS’s The Late Show on Thursday night, marking the end of the programme’s 33-year run and his own 11-year tenure as host. The cancellation follows a $16 million settlement paid by CBS parent company Paramount to US President Donald Trump regarding a disputed 60 Minutes interview. CBS has stated the decision was purely financial, coinciding with its lobbying for government approval of an $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media. President Trump publicly celebrated the show’s end on Truth Social, while the time slot will be filled by Comics Unleashed, hosted by Byron Allen.
The finale featured former Beatle Paul McCartney, who led an all-star lineup for the broadcast. McCartney performed Hello, Goodbye with Colbert, following a surreal segment in which the host pretended Pope Leo XIV was his final guest. The fictional pontiff allegedly refused to appear due to a lack of hot dogs, prompting McCartney to step in as a replacement. The episode ran approximately 17 minutes over its scheduled time, featuring surreal segments and reunions with former late-night hosts.
President Trump took to his Truth Social platform to deride the comedian, describing Colbert as having no talent and stating, Thank goodness he’s finally gone. The broadcaster had previously faced scrutiny after Colbert mocked the network for the settlement over an interview with Democratic election rival Kamala Harris. CBS insisted the cancellation was a coincidence with its corporate lobbying efforts, despite the show being the ratings leader in its time slot.
The final broadcast included various tributes and meta-commentary on the cancellation. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson appeared in a pre-taped bit explaining an interdimensional wormhole as a metaphor for the show’s abrupt end. Colbert reunited with former late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, John Oliver, and Seth Meyers, while original host David Letterman appeared on the theatre roof to hurl furniture, referencing his own classic finale stunt.
CBS announced last summer that Colbert’s show would end, citing economic reasons after 11 seasons. The network will now fill the time slot with Comics Unleashed, a programme in which comedians share stories. Host Byron Allen has vowed to avoid political content, marking a distinct shift in tone for the slot. CBS rivals ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! and NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon aired reruns on Thursday, with Kimmel urging viewers to watch the finale and then stop watching CBS.
