After eleven seasons, the final iteration of CBS's Late Show franchise concluded in 2026.
In short: Stephen Colbert transformed late-night television by shifting from a satirical pundit to himself, leading the highest-rated show in the franchise's history. Despite this success, CBS ended the program in May 2026, citing a $40 million annual loss and a broader strategic decision to retire the iconic brand permanently.
Stephen Colbert took over the Ed Sullivan Theater in September 2015, following David Letterman’s 22-year tenure. Unlike his previous work on Comedy Central, where he portrayed a fictionalized conservative pundit, Colbert hosted this program as himself. The show quickly established a reputation for intense political focus, often criticizing the Trump administration. By 2019, it had surpassed The Tonight Show in key demographics, maintaining the top spot among American late-night talk shows for nine consecutive seasons.
The production faced significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced Colbert to broadcast from his home for over a year. During this period, his wife, Evelyn McGee-Colbert, became a vital presence, providing the laughter and energy typically supplied by a studio audience. The show also navigated labor disputes, such as the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, during which Colbert continued to pay his staff. Behind the scenes, the show underwent leadership changes, including the tenure of showrunner Chris Licht, who arrived in 2016 to bolster the program's online presence.
Controversy occasionally punctuated the show's run, most notably in 2017 when Colbert’s monologue about President Trump drew FCC scrutiny for crude language. While the FCC ultimately took no action, the incident highlighted the show's provocative nature. By July 2025, CBS announced the show would conclude the following year. The final episode aired on May 21, 2026, marking the end of a 33-year legacy for the Late Show franchise. Following the cancellation, the network transferred the time slot to an outside entity, Byron Allen’s media company, through a commercial agreement.
The show's legacy is defined by its blend of traditional late-night formats and sharp, news-oriented comedy. Even in its final days, the production maintained a self-aware humor, exemplified by a 'Worst of' episode featuring unaired sketches and a parody song. With the retirement of the franchise, the Ed Sullivan Theater—a site of television history—closed a significant chapter in American broadcasting.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
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