CBS’s shocking cancellation of the long-running The Late Show has sparked controversy among fans and critics alike, with Jimmy Kimmel, Ben Stiller, Elizabeth Warren, and others reacting to the news.
On Thursday, July 17, Stephen Colbert himself announced that the show would end in May 2026, having been informed the previous night.
While CBS claimed the decision was financially motivated, the timing—coming just after Colbert publicly criticized the network’s parent company, Paramount, for settling a lawsuit with Donald Trump—has raised doubts for many.
So, is CBS making a mistake, or is it truly time for The Late Show to come to an end?
How Did Celebrities and Politicians React to The Late Show’s Cancellation?
Several celebrities and even politicians have openly shared their reactions to the unexpected cancellation of The Late Show.
This comes after Colbert criticized Paramount’s settlement with Donald Trump, who had claimed 60 Minutes deceptively edited an interview with then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris, calling it “a big fat bribe.”
For starters, Paramount is currently seeking approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission for its $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media.
While the audience booed during Colbert’s announcement, he responded, “Yeah, I share your feelings.”
“It’s not just the end of the show, it is the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced, this is all just going away,” he continued.
The political satire late-night news talk show has been on the air since 1993, with Colbert taking over from the original host, David Letterman, after his retirement in May 2015.
Caught off guard like many others, Jimmy Kimmel, who also hosts ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, showed support for Colbert while calling out CBS.
“Love you Stephen. F*ck you and all your Sheldons CBS,” he wrote when he posted Colbert’s video on his Instagram Stories.
Ben Stiller said he felt sorry for CBS for canceling “one of the best shows they have.” “Wishing all the people who work so hard on that show all the best,” he tweeted.
Journalist Katie Couric also expressed disbelief, asking for more details behind the decision.
“I am so upset about this,” she commented on Colbert’s video. “I need more information. We love you @stephenathome.”
Senator Elizabeth Warren echoed these sentiments and questioned the timing and motives behind the cancellation.
“CBS canceled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery,” she wrote on X. “America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.”
Why was The Late Show Canceled?
In a joint statement from George Cheeks, co-CEO of Paramount Global and president and CEO of CBS; Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment; and David Stapf, president of CBS Studios, the network explained that The Late Show was canceled due to financial constraints and that the decision had nothing to do with Paramount’s merger with Skydance.
“This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” they stressed. “It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount.”
As nothing seems to change the network’s decision, CBS confirmed that The Late Show will “end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season.”
“We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire The Late Show franchise at that time. We are proud that Stephen called CBS home,” they continued. “He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late-night television.”
But despite CBS’s explanation, many remain suspicious. Although the network claimed the decision was driven by financial concerns and shifts in viewing habits, critics see it as an attempt to silence a politically outspoken show, one that continues to resonate with a loyal audience that has supported it for nearly four decades.
As one of the few late-night programs known for its sharp political commentary, The Late Show still has much to offer. If this move ultimately damages CBS and potentially tarnishes its reputation, only the network can ultimately determine whether it was a mistake.
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