After 33 Years, It’s Officially the End of an Era for CBS

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Tonight, May 21st, marks the final episode of Stephen Colbert’s late-night show after eleven years. For much of that time, his show was the most-watched in its timeslot.

This is more than just the end of Colbert’s run. While he didn’t begin The Late Show, the show itself started in 1993 with David Letterman. Now, in a surprising decision – one many find even more unexpected than if Colbert had been replaced – CBS has decided to cancel The Late Show altogether.

CBS announced that Stephen Colbert is leaving The Late Show in May 2026, and the show will end with him. In a statement, CBS executives praised Colbert’s work and said he’ll be remembered as one of the best in late-night television. They emphasized that this decision is based on financial considerations and isn’t a reflection of the show’s success or content, or anything else happening within Paramount.

During his monologue, Stephen Colbert announced that The Late Show is ending, both his version and the show itself on CBS. He joked, ‘It’s a fantastic job. I wish somebody else was getting it,’ and clarified that the show isn’t being replaced – it’s simply concluding its run.

Why Did CBS Cancel The Late Show With Stephen Colbert?

CBS recently canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a decision many found surprising given his consistently high ratings in late night. While Paramount, the company that owns CBS, claims the show was losing a significant amount of money, some question the real reasons behind the cancellation.

Some people believe there’s another reason for Colbert’s success. He became a much more openly political late-night host than viewers were used to, particularly after Donald Trump became president, and he often made jokes at Trump’s expense.

President Trump has openly criticized Stephen Colbert, and Colbert’s show was cancelled around the time that Paramount and Skydance were asking the Trump Administration to approve their company merger. The Ellison family, who owns Skydance, is known to be supportive of Trump, leading some to believe the show’s cancellation was an attempt to smooth the path for the merger’s approval.

What Will Replace The Late Show on CBS?

In a surprising decision, CBS won’t be filling the timeslot previously held by The Late Show with a new program of its own. Instead, the network is partnering with to broadcast his show.

Allen created Comics Unleashed two decades ago to give comedians a place to perform and share laughter. He’s excited that CBS has picked up both Comics Unleashed and Funny You Should Ask for a two-hour comedy block, believing the world always needs more humor, as he stated in a recent announcement.

What Should Fans Expect from The Last Late Show?

Stephen Colbert is ending his run with a memorable series of shows, packed with big-name guests. David Letterman made a return appearance, playfully causing some chaos at CBS, and Colbert was joined by fellow late-night hosts for a special episode of their podcast, Strike Force Five. His friend and former Daily Show host, Jon Stewart, also paid one last visit. The second-to-last episode was especially fun, featuring many of Colbert’s well-known friends who turned the tables and interviewed him instead.

Details about Stephen Colbert’s last show are still a secret, so fans will have to tune in to see what happens. What’s unusual is that…

What’s Next for Stephen Colbert After The Late Show?

Now that The Late Show is finishing, it’s uncertain if Stephen Colbert will continue to appear on television. He’s been a fixture of late night for three decades, beginning as a contributor to The Daily Show and later starring in his own program, The Colbert Report, before taking over The Late Show in 2015.

As a lifelong fan of Tolkien, I was thrilled to hear that Stephen Colbert is diving deeper into Middle-earth! He revealed he’s working on a project that will explore events from The Fellowship of the Ring that weren’t included in Peter Jackson’s amazing films. It’s a dream come true to know we’ll be getting even more from that world!

The final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs tonight on CBS.

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2026-05-21 20:07