Apex of the 'kneel-in phase' dominates the scene
In a surprising turn of events, CBS's The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is set to conclude its run in May 2026. The announcement has sent ripples through the entertainment industry, with speculation surrounding the reasons behind the decision.
CBS, now under the umbrella of Paramount, has stated that the decision to retire the entire The Late Show franchise is purely financial, unrelated to the show's performance, content, or any other matters happening within Paramount. Stephen Colbert, the show's host, shared this news with his audience, who reacted with dismay.
However, the financial reasoning behind the decision has not quelled all suspicions. Reports from KTLA suggest that the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has requested New York Attorney General Letitia James to investigate possible wrongdoing at Paramount. While this indicates some ongoing political or legal scrutiny connected to the company, there is no direct public evidence linking this to the decision to end Stephen Colbert’s Late Show.
The looming cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has been linked to Paramount seeking approval from the Trump administration for a potential multibillion-dollar merger with entertainment media company Skydance. This speculation stems from the fact that Sherry Redstone, who is involved with Paramount, is waiting for the Trump administration's blessing for the merger.
Trump, who has been a frequent target of criticism on The Late Show, has celebrated the decision to cancel the show. He has argued that the interview aired by 60 Minutes during the 2024 presidential election was edited in his Democratic rival's favour. The settlement following this interview may have contributed to the decision, with Colbert jokingly referring to it as a "big, fat bribe."
The cancellation has not gone unnoticed by media hosts and Senate Democrats, who have called for an investigation into the matter. CNN anchor Jake Tapper, for instance, has criticized Paramount Global for cancelling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The Writers Guild of America East and West have also inquired if the cancellation was meant to assist Paramount in the merger with Skydance.
As the entertainment industry awaits the official reasons behind the cancellation, the speculation continues to swirl. With the merger requiring a green light from the Federal Communications Commission, the future of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and the broader implications for the industry remain uncertain.
- The cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has led to discussions about possible business endeavors, as speculation suggests Paramount might be seeking approval from the Trump administration for a merger with Skydance Entertainment.
- In light of the cancellation, some media hosts and Senate Democrats have called for an investigation into potential conflicts of interest, questioning whether the decision was made to aid Paramount in its prospective merger with Skydance.
- Amid the speculation, the Writers Guild of America East and West have inquired about the potential influence of the merger on the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
- The decision to conclude The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026 might have been fueled by more than just financial reasons, as some reports indicate the possibility of political and legal scrutiny, as well as the pending Trump administration's decision on the merger with Skydance Entertainment, stirring general-news conversations.
