Stephen Colbert shocked followers and the leisure trade alike this week with a shock announcement that “The Late Present with Stephen Colbert” will come to an finish in Could 2026.
The announcement despatched shockwaves throughout Hollywood and past, with many seeing the transfer as one more signal of the altering late-night TV panorama.
However for others, it was considered as one thing much more pointed, particularly since Stephen Colbert’s announcement got here shortly after the late-night host made a controversial joke in regards to the president.
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Jamie Lee Curtis Slams Stephen Colbert Cancellation
“It’s unhealthy, he’s an important, nice man,” she wrote. “Sure, they’re making an attempt to silence individuals, nevertheless it gained’t work. It gained’t work. We’ll simply get louder.”
Whereas Curtis didn’t title names, her remark echoed considerations shared by others that “The Late Present”’s finish could also be linked to mounting political strain, notably from allies of Donald Trump. Colbert has lengthy been one of many former president’s most vocal late-night critics, delivering nightly monologues that usually take intention at Trump and his insurance policies.
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Jamie Lee Curtis Doubles Down On Political Activism
Jamie Lee Curtis has lengthy been outspoken about her political views, notably relating to President Donald Trump.
Through the years, she has used her platform to advocate for progressive causes and converse out towards what she views as threats to democracy. Throughout the latest presidential election, Curtis delivered a passionate name to motion on social media, urging her followers to “get up and struggle.”
She emphasised the significance of standing up for girls, youngsters, and future generations, and inspired People to withstand tyranny “in the future at a time. One struggle at a time. One protest at a time.”
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Colbert’s Exit Coincides With Trump’s $10B Media Lawsuit
The present’s cancellation comes amid rising stress between Trump and the media.
Across the similar time as Colbert’s announcement, the president filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit towards The Wall Road Journal, its mum or dad firm NewsCorp, and several other people, together with Rupert Murdoch. The go well with stems from reporting on alleged birthday letters tied to Jeffrey Epstein, which Trump claims had been used to falsely hyperlink him to the disgraced financier.
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CBS Blames Funds For Stephen Colbert’s Cancellation
Whereas hypothesis surrounding the sudden cancellation circulates, in response to community execs, the choice has nothing to do with rankings or controversy.
“That is purely a monetary choice towards a difficult backdrop in late night time,” George Cheeks, CBS’ president and co-chief govt of CBS mum or dad firm Paramount, mentioned in a press release. “It isn’t associated in any solution to the present’s efficiency, content material or different issues occurring at Paramount.”
Whereas CBS insists Colbert’s cancellation is because of monetary causes, many consider the timing isn’t any coincidence, particularly with Paramount, CBS’s mum or dad firm, dealing with scrutiny over current settlements and its ongoing merger talks with Skydance Media.
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Business Reactions Pour In: ‘A Unhappy Day For CBS’
Information of “The Late Present with Stephen Colbert” ending in 2026 despatched ripples throughout the leisure world, prompting emotional responses from fellow late-night hosts and media personalities.
Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC’s “The Tonight Present,” shared his shock and disappointment on Instagram. “I’m simply as shocked as everybody. Stephen is among the sharpest, funniest hosts to ever do it,” the comic mentioned. “I actually thought I’d journey this out with him for years to come back. I’m unhappy that my household and pals will want a brand new present to observe each night time at 11:30.”
Seth Meyers, host of “Late Evening,” provided a heartfelt and humorous tribute. “For as nice a comic and host (as) he’s, @stephenathome is a fair higher individual,” he wrote. “I’m going to overlook having him on TV each night time, however I’m excited he can now not use the excuse that he’s ‘too busy to hang around’ with me.”
Andy Cohen, the outspoken host of “Watch What Occurs Reside,” didn’t maintain again in his criticism of CBS’s choice, expressing, “It’s a very unhappy day for CBS that they’re getting out of the late-night race. I imply, they’re turning off the lights after the information.”
As Colbert prepares for his remaining season, followers and trade insiders alike are bracing for what comes subsequent within the ever-evolving and more and more politicized panorama of late-night tv.
