Stephen Colbert’s long-running program, “The Late Show,” will conclude its journey with a final episode airing on May 21, 2024. Colbert announced the date during a guest appearance on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” on Tuesday. This culmination marks the end of not only Colbert’s tenure but also the end of the “Late Show” franchise itself, which has been a staple of late-night television since its debut in 1993.
The franchise originally launched with David Letterman at the helm, who hosted for over two decades. Colbert took over the show in September 2015 and has since become a prominent face in late-night entertainment. In a statement released in July, Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS, indicated that it would retire the brand after 33 years. The company stated, “We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire ‘The Late Show’ franchise at that time. We are proud that Stephen called CBS home.”
This decision was framed by Paramount as a financial measure, citing the challenging landscape of late-night television. They clarified that the cancellation was not due to the show’s performance or content. Nevertheless, the timing of the announcement has raised eyebrows, particularly as it followed closely behind Colbert’s public criticism of a $16 million settlement between Paramount and former President Donald Trump. The settlement was related to a 2024 interview on “60 Minutes” featuring both Trump and his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris. Trump’s legal team claimed that the network had edited the interview in a way that caused the President significant distress.
Colbert openly expressed his discontent with the settlement, characterizing it as a “big fat bribe” designed to facilitate Paramount’s merger with Skydance Media, which is currently undergoing federal scrutiny. He stated he was “offended” by the financial agreement, highlighting the contentious atmosphere surrounding the network’s dealings.
Despite the corporate friction, Colbert’s legacy remains robust. In September 2023, he won the Emmy for Outstanding Talk Series, reinforcing his status as a leading figure in the late-night arena. As the final episode approaches, viewers and fans will reflect on the significant impact Colbert has had on the landscape of late-night television. The conclusion of “The Late Show” signifies not only a personal milestone for Colbert but also an end to a significant chapter in television history.
