Stephen Colbert Reflects on How the Late Show Cancellation Sinks In After Final Date Announcement

Stephen Colbert on The Late Show.
Credit:

Scott Kowalchyk/CBS

NEED TO KNOW

• Stephen Colbert confirmed the month for the final episode of The Late Show during his appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
• The final episode of the late-night talk show will air on May 21, according to reports.
• “It feels real now,” Colbert remarked about his late-night show’s conclusion after ten seasons.

The end of The Late Show is approaching, with host Stephen Colbert acknowledging that the reality of the show’s conclusion is settling in. During his appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers on January 27, Colbert shared his reflections as the final episode draws near.

At 61, Colbert stated, “It feels real now.” He noted that the end, scheduled for May, has became tangible with just four months left. “It did not feel… I mean, I know it was real, but now, there’s four months left.”

Colbert expressed his fondness for the team he has worked with over the years, some of whom he has known since his early career. “You can do comedy in a lot of different places, but there’s no place like the Ed Sullivan Theater,” he stated, emphasizing his appreciation for the venue’s unique atmosphere. “But it’s really the people. That’s really what I care about. That’s really what I’m going to miss more than anything.”

The series finale of The Late Show is set for Thursday, May 21, as reported by multiple sources, nearly a year after Colbert announced the show’s cancellation during a July 17 taping.

Stephen Colbert on The Late Show in July 2025.

Scott Kowalchyk/CBS

During the July 17 episode, Colbert had informed viewers, “Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending The Late Show in May.” He further clarified, “It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”

The decision by CBS to cancel the long-running show came just days after Colbert’s July 14 episode, during which he critiqued Paramount’s $16 million settlement with then-President Donald Trump. Colbert claimed the deal was a response to allegations that a 60 Minutes segment had been deceptively edited.

Colbert expressed disappointment, stating, “As someone who has always been a proud employee of this network, I am offended. And I don’t know if anything will ever repair my trust in this company.” He further sarcastically suggested that such reparations could be aided by the settlement money.

CBS, in a statement, conveyed that their decision was “purely financial” and unrelated to the show’s performance or content. The statement also acknowledged Colbert’s significant contributions to late-night television, underscoring that the decision was particularly challenging due to the channel’s admiration for his work.

Since its inception in 1993 with David Letterman, the The Late Show has been a mainstay of late-night programming. Colbert, who succeeded Letterman in 2015, has maintained the show’s high ratings throughout his tenure.