Late night talk show hosts have rallied around Stephen Colbert after The Late Show was canceled by CBS.
Colbert, 61, announced the news during the Thursday, July 17, episode taping of his late night show, saying, “Before we start the show I want to let you know something that I found out just last night. Next year will be our last season, the network [CBS] will be ending The Late Show in May.”
As the audience booed, he continued: “I share your feelings. 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. I do want to say that the folks at CBS have been great partners … And I’m grateful to the audience, you, who have joined us every night, in here, out there, and all around the world.”
CBS executives released a statement addressing their decision that same day, revealing a “financial” choice led to the cancellation and it was not “related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”
Colbert peers’ Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon and more late night hosts have since spoken out in support of Colbert:
Jimmy Kimmel
Kimmel, 57, who hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC, reposted a clip of Colbert’s announcement via his Instagram Story with the caption, “Love you Stephen. F*** you and all your Sheldons CBS.”
Andy Cohen
The Watch What Happens Live host told Deadline: “I think it’s a sad day for late-night television. I think it’s a sad day for CBS. I think Stephen Colbert is a singular talent. He’s going to have an incredible next chapter.”
“I can’t believe CBS is turning off the lights at 11:30 after the local news. I’m stunned,” he added. “He’s one of three late-night shows deemed worthy enough for an Emmy nomination. He produces a brilliant show.”
Jimmy Fallon
“I’m just as shocked as everyone,” Fallon, 50 who hosts The Tonight Show, wrote via an Instagram story. “Stephen is one of the sharpest, funniest hosts to ever do it. I really thought I’d ride this out with him for years to come. I’m sad that my family and friends will need a new show to watch every night at 11:30. But honestly, he’s really been a gentleman and a true friend over the years, going back to The Colbert Report, and I’m sure whatever he does next will be just as brilliant.”
Seth Meyers
The Late Night With Seth Meyers host publicly supported his colleague.
“For as great a comedian and host he is, Stephen Colbert is an even better person,” Meyers, 51, wrote via Instagram. “I’m going to miss having him on TV every night but I’m excited he can no longer use the excuse that he’s ‘too busy to hang out’ with me.”
John Oliver
“Obviously, I love Stephen, I love his staff, I love that show — it’s incredibly sad. I’m partly excited to see what they’re gonna do for the next 10 months,” the Last Week Tonight host told reporters. “It’s terrible, terrible news for the world of comedy.”
Oliver said, “Late-night shows mean a lot to me, not just because I work in them, because even growing up in England, I would watch Letterman’s show, which of course was Stephen’s show, and think about what a glamorous world that was”
He added, “So to have got to have been on Letterman’s show and Stephen’s show was always one of the most fun things. So it’s very, very, very sad news. I look forward to seeing what [Colbert is] gonna do next because that man will not stop.”
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