Late-night talk show host Seth Meyers expresses concern over the evolving television landscape potentially impacting the longevity of his program.
The cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, set for May 2026, is primarily a financial decision made by CBS and its parent company Paramount amid challenges in the late-night television landscape. The company explicitly stated that the decision is not related to the show's content or performance but reflects the economic difficulties facing late-night programming[1].
Stephen Colbert announced the news himself during a taping, sharing the audience's disappointment and confirming that the franchise will be retired after his final season[1][3]. Regarding the impact on Seth Meyers' late-night career, the search results do not provide direct information. However, since The Late Show franchise is being retired purely for financial reasons and Colbert is considered irreplaceable in that slot, this might reduce CBS's late-night roster opportunities rather than influencing competitors like Seth Meyers, who hosts Late Night with Seth Meyers on NBC. Seth Meyers’ show is a different franchise and network, so the cancellation of Colbert's show wouldn't have a direct operational impact on his career. However, the overall late-night television environment is noted as challenging financially, which could affect the broader field, including Meyers indirectly.
Seth Meyers, who has hosted Late Night on NBC for over a decade, expressed his admiration for Stephen Colbert on Instagram, calling him a "great" comedian and host and "an even better person."[2] Despite the cancellation, Colbert continues to use the platform to speak freely, even on contentious political issues, possibly highlighting deeper tensions behind the scenes beyond finances[2].
Meanwhile, Seth Meyers is cautious about the future of Late Night, fearing that the ecosystem might not support it in the long run[4]. The cancellation of The Late Show drew much criticism and speculation, with Stephen Colbert himself being an outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump and making jokes about CBS's motives for axing his show since it happened[5]. Trump, however, denied being solely responsible for Colbert's firing, stating it was due to a lack of talent and the financial losses the show was incurring[6].
In a recent episode of the "Armchair Expert" podcast, Seth Meyers spoke about dealing with the uncertainty that comes with hosting a program and his big takeaway from his experience on the late-night program: "show up and do the work."[7] Despite the challenges, Meyers remains grateful for the opportunity to be part of the late-night scene, stating, "at least I got in"[8].
References:
- CBS cancels The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
- Stephen Colbert announces The Late Show's cancellation
- Stephen Colbert shares audience's disappointment over The Late Show cancellation
- Seth Meyers fears for the future of Late Night
- Stephen Colbert slams CBS over The Late Show cancellation
- Trump denies responsibility for The Late Show cancellation
- Seth Meyers talks about uncertainty on Armchair Expert podcast
- Seth Meyers is grateful for late-night opportunity
- Skydance Media's $8 billion acquisition of Paramount approved by federal regulators
Celebrities like Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers often share their thoughts on social media platforms, offering insights into their perspectives. For instance, Seth Meyers expressed his admiration for Colbert on Instagram following the announcement of the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
The cancellation of entertainment franchises, such as The Late Show, due to financial challenges in the late-night television landscape, has a ripple effect in the broader field, impacting pop-culture and social-media discourse as well.
