David Letterman Critiques CBS Over “The Late Show” Cancellation

David Letterman has openly criticized CBS, labeling the network as a “lying weasel” in regard to its cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” He disputes CBS’s statements that finances were the sole reason for ending the show.

Having hosted “The Late Show” for an impressive 22 years, Letterman suggests that the decision, which is set for May 21, connects more to the network’s sale rather than the financial issues CBS claims are at play.

He mentioned, “He was fired because the people selling the network to Skydance said, ‘Oh, we’ll have no problem with that guy.’ They were eager to finalize the deal, regarding the show as just a part of it,” Letterman shared with the New York Times.

In a pointed remark, he declared, “They’re lying. Let me just add one more thing, Jason,” referring to Times reporter Jason Zinoman. “They’re lying weasels.”

The sale of CBS’s parent company, Paramount, to Skydance occurred in August 2025 for a hefty $8.4 billion after a complicated negotiation process.

While the network has maintained that financial reasons led to this move, a spokesperson reiterated, after Letterman’s remarks, that it was “unequivocally a financial decision.”

Letterman, now 79, acknowledged the shifts in the television landscape but remained skeptical about CBS’s reasoning.

“They don’t share financials with me. There’s this ongoing transformation in television due to digital platforms. Television might not be the cash cow it used to be,” he noted. However, he questioned, “What about Stephen’s humanity, the humanity of his followers, and those who appreciated that late-night break?”

As for Colbert, he will continue hosting “The Late Show” until its conclusion on May 21, 2026. Following that, “Comics Unleashed With Byron Allen” is set to take over the time slot.

Letterman has also been critical of how CBS has managed cancellations in the past, calling this particular decision “absolutely despicable,” emphasizing how poorly they treated Colbert, who represents the network.

“I really don’t think this was about money,” he expressed previously.

He noted, “I think it was all about prioritizing ensuring I was making appropriate use of my father’s investment.”

Colbert, a frequent critic of President Trump, also weighed in on the situation, suggesting that it wouldn’t be unreasonable to consider the possibility of political motivations behind the cancellation, though he opted not to delve further into that speculation.

As it stands, “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” will air its final episode in May, marking the end of an era for late-night television.