Late night comedy series "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" cancelled by CBS following controversial joke about Trump agreement
In a surprising turn of events, US television host Stephen Colbert has announced that The Late Show will conclude in 2026. This decision, according to CBS, is purely a financial one, with annual losses up to $40 million cited as the primary reason. However, many observers believe political factors may have played a significant role.
The Late Show, officially titled The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, has been a staple in late-night television since Colbert took the helm in 2015. Over the years, Colbert has become one of the most outspoken critics of former President Donald Trump in US media. This critical stance may have raised eyebrows, particularly within the Trump administration.
CBS is currently seeking government approval for an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media. Paramount, as CBS's parent company, owns the rights to its shows, oversees production, and makes key decisions, including over cancellations. The timing of The Late Show's cancellation, just before a potential merger, has led some to question whether political favour with the Trump administration could have influenced the decision.
Trump himself has been involved in a controversy regarding CBS News' 60 Minutes program. He alleged that the program deceptively edited an interview with his 2024 election rival, Kamala Harris. This incident, coupled with Colbert's critical stance towards Trump, has fuelled speculation about the potential political implications of The Late Show's cancellation.
Critics and political figures, including Senator Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff, have expressed concern that The Late Show's cancellation may have been due to political reasons. In a twist of events, CBS agreed to pay President Donald Trump a $16 million settlement, a move that has further fueled speculation.
Colbert, however, has referred to the settlement as 'a big fat bribe.' He confirmed that he is not being replaced, and the show is simply ending. The Late Show has won its sixth nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award as an outstanding talk show, and its latest Nielsen figures show that it is in the top spot among the major broadcast networks in its timeslot, averaging 2.417 million viewers across 41 new episodes.
Despite its success, The Late Show's cancellation marks the end of the Late Show franchise altogether. The news was met with audible boos from the studio audience during its delivery, a testament to the show's loyal fanbase. As the end of an era approaches, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see if political factors indeed played a role in The Late Show's cancellation.
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