David Letterman criticized CBS and its parent company Paramount, calling their recent decision “gutless” and “pure co-ill,” while also referring to his successor, Stephen Colbert, as a “network martian.”
During a discussion with former “Late Show” producer Barbara Gaines and Mary Berkeley, Letterman passionately defended Colbert’s tenure since he took over the show in September 2015. He remarked, “They killed the franchise and told Stephen to go. I mean, for Colbert, I love this. He’s a martian. It’s good for him.”
The 78-year-old comedian expressed that Colbert has really established himself as a central figure in the network. “Ten years ago, I left, and then Stephen Colbert came in and quickly became a sharp, witty political satirist targeting the current administration,” Letterman noted, emphasizing Colbert’s appeal.
Despite its successes, CBS announced on July 17 that Colbert’s show would be canceled in 2026 due to financial issues. Reports suggest losses of around $40 to $50 million annually from the show.
However, Letterman expressed skepticism about the financial claims. “If they’re saying they lost this much money yesterday, they must have known about it long ago,” he said, pointing out that CBS News, which also may not be a significant profit center, continues to operate.
He posited that the network’s decision seemed like a cover, suggesting, “They’re hiding behind the money and giving him another 10 months. It’s a huge financial hit they’re willing to take.”
The cancellation followed CBS-Paramount Holdings’ confirmation of a network sale to SkyDance Media for $8.4 billion on July 24. Letterman even joked, “Is Skydance a discount airline?”
He lamented that the situation seemed embarrassing for CBS employees who, in his opinion, lacked the courage to face the issue directly. He described a recent settlement with former President Trump over a lawsuit involving CBS News as “pure co-ill,” critiquing the network’s handling of the matter.
Colbert, who is 61, humorously referred to himself as a “martist” after he famously told Trump to “go to F-K Yourself” during a monologue on July 21, right before the announcement of his show’s end.
Letterman reflected on the abrupt end of the longstanding program, quipping, “You can’t spell CBS without BS,” as he shared links to his old jokes targeting the network.
