To say that Stephen Colbert is having an interesting year is to say that outer space sure is dark. The late night staple was thrown for a loop when CBS axed The Late Show ahead of its impending 11th season,

Colbert broke the shocking news to viewers that CBS had canceled The Late Show on July 17, with its final episode set to air in May 2026. CBS cited financial reasons; however, others have speculated that the decision was made due to Colbert’s criticism of Paramount’s recent settlement with President Donald Trump.

CBS announced last month that it would not just be ending Colbert's run on the network but retiring the venerable Late Show franchise as a whole after the 2025-26 broadcast season, calling the divisive decision a "purely financial" one "against a challenging backdrop in late night."