Colbert's 'Late Show' is ending. Here's what's in store for the final episodes

"Colbert first joined the show in 2015 following successful stints at The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, with his political monologues during the first Trump administration helping grow his popularity, particularly among more liberal viewers. His vocal critique of Trump is also seen by many as precipitating the end of his hosting duties."

"CBS parent company Paramount announced last July that this season, which concludes May 21, would be its final season of The Late Show. CBS has claimed that the cancellation was a financial decision, but many remain skeptical, pointing to possible pressures by the current administration-which Colbert has extensively criticized."

"The announcement came as the company was still pursuing the merger that created Paramount Skydance, shortly after it reached a $16 million settlement with Trump over an interview that aired on 60 Minutes during the 2024 election. "He was dumped because the people selling the network to Skydance said, 'Oh no, there's not going to be any trouble with that guy. We're going to take care of the show. We're just going to throw that into the deal. When will the ink on the check dry?'""

""I'm just going to go on record as saying: they're lying. What's in store? Ahead of the final week CBS announced the show's last lineup of guests and programming, including major stars, celebrities, and special segments-although, quite like Colbert and his team's future, much is still uncertain. Monday's show will be what the network is dubbing 'The Worst of 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,' clarifying the show will not be a clip show and will in""

The Late Show, CBS’s flagship late-night talk show filmed in the Ed Sullivan Theater, began in 1993 with David Letterman. Stephen Colbert joined in 2015 after work on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, and his political monologues during the first Trump administration increased his popularity, especially among liberal viewers. Colbert’s outspoken criticism of Trump is widely viewed as a factor in the end of his hosting duties. CBS said the cancellation was financial, but skepticism persists about possible pressure from the current administration. The announcement followed CBS’s pursuit of the Paramount Skydance merger and came after a $16 million settlement with Trump related to a 60 Minutes interview aired during the 2024 election. Letterman said the network was “lying” about the reasons for cancellation. The final week includes announced guest lineups and special programming, with Monday’s show branded as “The Worst of 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.”

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