Colbert reveals he learned 'The Late Show' was canceled late
Stephen Colbert only learned The Late Show was canceled several days after CBS made the call—because his manager waited to tell him while he was on vacation.
On Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Colbert shared, "They told me a couple days before I got home," explaining he was "far out at sea" when the news broke.
CBS announced in July 2025
CBS announced in July 2025 that The Late Show would end after the 2025-26 season, blaming late-night financial struggles.
The announcement came shortly after Colbert's public criticism of CBS's parent company Paramount over a $16 million settlement with Donald Trump.
Colbert told his staff privately before breaking the news on-air, which some viewers thought was just another joke.
'The Late Show' won Outstanding Talk Series in September
Even with cancelation looming, The Late Show snagged the 2025 Emmy for Outstanding Talk Series in September.
Jimmy Kimmel backed Colbert's Emmy campaign.