David Letterman, the mind behind “The Late Show,” has criticized CBS for cancelling the long-running program currently hosted by Stephen Colbert, calling the decision “Pure Cowardice.” He expressed his views on “The Barbara Gaines Show” podcast, highlighting that he doesn’t believe the network’s reasoning, which cited financial issues as the cause for the cancellation. Letterman pointedly criticized both CBS and Paramount for their management of the situation.
“This is pure cowardice,” he said, emphasizing that they failed to treat Colbert, a key figure for the network, with the respect he deserves.
Letterman also discussed how it feels like the company had dismissed essential values, suggesting that CBS’s decision was influenced by the uncomfortable dynamics surrounding a reported $16 million settlement between Paramount and former President Donald Trump related to a “60-minute” interview with Kamala Harris.
Letterman speculated that Skydance Media, the upcoming owner of Paramount, sought to sidestep potential conflict with Trump by ousting Colbert, who has been vocal against the former president. During his discussion, he referred to Skydance’s founder, David Ellison, as having “Oracle twins,” implying a kind of corporate cleansing.
“The Oracle boys, Ellison Twins, don’t want anything to do with controversy, along with freedom of press and speech,” he noted. “They want to stay out of trouble.” In a hypothetical scenario, he outlined how conversations among Skydance owners and CBS executives might have led to Colbert’s removal.
Letterman conveyed that CBS executives might have been told to get rid of Colbert entirely to avoid complications, claiming they were even willing to sacrifice the entire franchise for peace of mind.
Although “The Late Show” was reportedly losing around $40 million annually, Letterman wasn’t convinced this was a valid justification for cancellation. He wondered why the financial losses were only being referenced now, suggesting they must have been known for some time.
