In a candid New Year's Eve appearance, celebrated television host Stephen Colbert publicly addressed the controversial cancellation of his long-running program, The Late Show. Speaking on CNN's broadcast with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, Colbert shared a pointed lesson from the past year, directly linking it to the network's decision.
A Billionaire Lesson and a Network's Decision
When asked what 2025 had taught him, Colbert did not hold back. "Don't trust billionaires," he stated. "They don't get rich by finding that money on the side of the road, brother." This sharp remark came months after CBS confirmed the show would end in May 2025. The network had announced the cancellation the previous summer, labeling it a purely financial move. CBS claimed The Late Show was losing around $40 million each year, a significant figure even though the program consistently held the top rating in its time slot.
Industry Skepticism and Political Speculation
The network's explanation was met with doubt from within the entertainment industry. Fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel publicly questioned CBS's claims, adding fuel to the fire. The timing of the cancellation also raised eyebrows. It occurred while CBS's parent company, Paramount, was seeking regulatory approval for its multi-billion dollar merger with Skydance Media. The deal, which later went through, put David Ellison at the helm of the new combined entity.
This timing led many commentators to speculate about potential political motivations. Former U.S. President Donald Trump had repeatedly criticized Colbert on public platforms and had called for his removal from television. The confluence of these events suggested to some that the cancellation might not be solely about finances.
Colbert's Ongoing Commentary and Future
Colbert has continued to reference the cancellation in his public engagements. In December, he humorously noted Paramount's reported $108 billion bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, joking that such financial muscle meant the company could easily afford to reverse its decision on his show. Despite the impending end of The Late Show, Colbert has remained highly visible in the media. He has given no indication of retiring from broadcasting, suggesting his voice will continue to be heard. His New Year's Eve comments stand as one of his most direct and personal responses to the circumstances that led to his show's surprising demise.
