In a surprising turn of events, CBS has decided to terminate "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," a long-standing pillar of late-night television, as the 2025-2026 season concludes.
As reported by RedState, this decision signifies a significant shift in the late-night genre, which has been experiencing a steady decline over the years.
The cancellation of Colbert's show, which has often served as a platform for Democratic politicians, has not been well-received by figures such as Rep. Adam Schiff and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Both have been guests on the show multiple times, with Schiff's most recent appearance coinciding with the announcement of the show's cancellation.
Accusations have been made that the cancellation is politically motivated, an attempt to shield the Trump administration. This claim is somewhat ironic, given that Paramount and CBS, the parent companies of the show, are not known for their Republican leanings.
The cancellation came just three days after Colbert criticized Paramount, CBS's parent company, for its $16 million settlement with Trump. This has led to speculation that the show's termination may have been politically motivated. Colbert's message to his audience, questioning the reasons behind the cancellation, has been widely shared on social media.
In addition to the political figures, Jimmy Kimmel, a fellow late-night host, has also expressed his discontent. Kimmel, who has positioned himself as the moral compass of late-night television, posted a profanity-laden message on Instagram, expressing his solidarity with Colbert and his disdain for CBS.
Kimmel's reaction is indicative of the current state of late-night television, which, with the exception of Greg Gutfeld, has largely become a platform for far-left activism, abandoning its comedic roots.
The era of late-night hosts delivering jokes that appealed to a wide, national audience seems to be a thing of the past. The current trend leans towards repetitive, partisan commentary, with the goal of generating applause rather than laughter. This is a stark contrast to the late-night scene during Jay Leno's tenure, which ended in 2014.
However, this development presents an opportunity for ABC, the network that airs Kimmel's show. Given that CBS cited financial concerns as the reason for Colbert's cancellation, it's plausible that ABC might be facing similar issues.
Kimmel's show has lower ratings than Colbert's, trailing by nearly a million viewers. Furthermore, ABC reportedly pays Kimmel $15 million annually to host "Jimmy Kimmel Live," excluding bonuses and royalties. When you factor in the costs of maintaining a writing team and technical production, the financial viability of Kimmel's show comes into question. Given the high costs associated with production in Los Angeles, it's worth considering whether Kimmel's show is next in line for cancellation.
While it's impossible to predict with certainty, the financial implications suggest that the days of left-wing late-night "comedy" may be numbered. This could mark a significant shift in the landscape of late-night television, potentially paving the way for a return to more traditional, broad-appeal comedy.
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