Main modifications in late-night TV are uncommon. There’s an expectation that when a brand new host takes over a present, they are going to be there for a very long time. Stephen Colbert has hosted The Late Present on CBS for a decade, however there was no expectation he could be leaving anytime quickly, which is why so many had been surprised by his announcement that his present has been canceled.
Firstly of final evening’s The Late Present with Stephen Colbert, the host revealed that not solely will he be leaving the present subsequent Could, however that the present is being canceled by CBS solely, with no new host taking on. This has despatched a shockwave via the leisure world, with even Colbert’s technical competitor, Jimmy Kimmel, dropping F-bombs in frustration on Instagram.
Kimmel is not the one late-night host to reply to the shocking information. Colbert’s different “competitors,” Tonight Present host Jimmy Fallon, posted to his Instagram story:
I am simply as shocked as everybody. Stephen is without doubt one of the sharpest, funniest hosts to ever do it. I actually thought I might journey this out with him for years to return. I am unhappy that my household and pals will want a brand new present to look at each evening at 11:30. However truthfully, he is actually been a gentleman and a real buddy through the years – going again to The Colbert Report, and I am positive no matter he does subsequent can be sensible.
Likewise, Seth Meyers posted a farewell to his IG tales. The Late Night time host, like Fallon, known as out what a great individual Colbert is, however in true late-night trend, made positive to incorporate a joke. Meyers posted…
For as nice a comic and host he’s, [Stephen Colbert] is an excellent higher individual. I’ll miss having him on TV each evening however I am excited he can not use the excuse that he is ‘too busy to hang around with me.’
There are numerous unanswered questions on precisely why CBS made the choice to cancel the present. The community’s official assertion mentioned the transfer was purely monetary because of the more and more difficult nature of late-night TV. It’s particularly said that this was not a efficiency concern on Colbert’s half. It’s exhausting to think about that will be the case, as The Late Present has remained one of many highest-rated late-night packages of its kind.
It has been speculated that the choice was made partly to ease the political stress on CBS following a lawsuit settlement with President Trump, because the community seeks merger approval with Skydance. Colbert’s constant criticism of the President is well-known. Saturday Night time Dwell forged member Bowen Yang spoke to iHeartRadio at his Las Culturistas Tradition Awards and known as out the extra political parts, saying…
I do not suppose so honey, CBS canceling the Late Present. It is so tragic. Late-night TV is without doubt one of the solely methods now we have of processing the information in a means that’s tangible and exquisite and humorous, and the individuals who have hosted these reveals are on the high of their recreation. It has given comedians and folks within the business one thing to aspire to. I believe it is a actually darkish day. I believe the best way that these networks are being consolidated is actually, actually bleak.
One other skilled host, Bravo’s Andy Cohen, was additionally on the Las Culturistas Tradition Awards and informed Deadline that whereas he absolutely expects Stephen Colbert to be advantageous, he was shocked by CBS’s resolution to easily finish the present and never exchange it with something. Cohen mentioned…
I believe it’s a tragic day for late-night tv. I believe it’s a tragic day for CBS. I believe Stephen Colbert is a singular expertise. He’s going to have an unbelievable subsequent chapter. I can’t consider CBS is popping out the lights at 11:30 after the native information. Simply utterly turning out the lights. I’m surprised. He’s one in every of three late-night reveals deemed worthy sufficient for an Emmy nomination. He produces an excellent present.
Cohen had a specific connection to the present as he mentioned he labored for CBS again in 1993 when David Letterman made the leap from NBC after shedding out on the internet hosting job at The Tonight Present. Colbert took over The Late Present from Letterman in 2015. Cohen continued…
I imply, I labored at CBS when Letterman got here to CBS, and CBS turned a powerhouse in late-night tv…I spent ten years at CBS. It’s simply unhappy for CBS.
The mix of properly needs and frustration has poured in from many others on Instagram, the place the official announcement was posted. Pals, former visitors, and Colbert’s former band chief are among the many tons of of individuals responding with a mixture of love and confusion. Feedback embody…
- Love you Stephen. That is absolute bullshit, and I for one am trying ahead to the following 10 months of reveals. ✊😡💔-Adam Scott
- I’m extraordinarily unhappy. I like you, Stephen. -Rachel Zegler
- The best to ever do it. -Jon Batiste
- I’m so upset about this. I want extra data. We love you [Stephen Colbert] ❤️-Katie Couric
- My admiration and appreciation for you is bottomless. Excited to see what different brilliance you place into the world. ❤️-Judd Apatow
Whereas extra particulars behind the choice should come to mild, and what Stephen Colbert will do subsequent stays to be seen, we will think about the following 10 months of The Late Present with Stephen Colbert on the 2025 TV schedule can be a few of the present’s largest because the host will get able to say goodbye.
Till Could 2026, you’ll be able to watch The Late Present on weekdays on CBS at 11:30 p.m. ET.