CBS’s late-night host Stephen Colbert didn’t share any direct comments about the cancellation of his show during Monday night’s opening monologue on “The Late Show.” Instead, he focused on the circumstances surrounding CBS’s decision, taking the opportunity to throw some playful jabs at former President Donald Trump.
“And now, for the next 10 months, my gloves are off,” he quipped during the show.
In another corner, Colbert responded to Trump, who openly celebrated the show’s cancellation. Trump remarked on social media, “I absolutely love Colbert being fired… His talent was less than he rated.” He went on to suggest that other hosts, like Jimmy Kimmel, might be next on the chopping block, implying that they too lacked talent. Colbert, not one to back down, countered with, “What dare you, sir? Can a man who is not proud of him create the next satirical wit?” This prompted enthusiastic cheers from the audience.
Last Thursday, CBS announced that “The Late Show” would be ending its run after the current season, attributing the decision solely to financial concerns amid a challenging late-night landscape. They clarified that the cancellation was not due to the show’s performance or content issues.
Colbert expressed confusion about the financial reasoning, questioning why a top-rated show would be cut for monetary reasons, especially when a report indicated losses exceeding $40 million annually for Colbert’s program alone. “We could see us losing $24 million, but where did Paramount spend the other $16 million?” he pondered, referencing a recent settlement involving CBS News.
As this unfolds, it’s worth noting that Fox News’ late-night show has surged to the top of the ratings, outperforming its competitors in critical demographics.
