CBS has announced the cancellation of The Late Show, hosted by Stephen Colbert, after ten years on the air, much to the dismay of fans and musicians alike. The announcement came on July 17, during the taping of the show, marking the final episode for May 2026 as a result of what the network described as financial challenges affecting late-night programming.
Industry and Viewer Reactions Highlight Shock and Speculation
Among those expressing sadness were prominent artists such as actress Rachel Zegler, who wrote on Colbert’s Instagram,
i am extremely sad. i adore you, stephen.
—Rachel Zegler, Actress. Similarly, Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth simply stated, “NOOOO!!!” on the same post. Charlamagne tha God added to the conversation with skepticism about the network’s motives, commenting,
Paramount bending the knee to authoritarian strategy. I guess it’s Make America North Korea now!!! Appreciate you Always SC!!!
—Charlamagne tha God, Radio Personality.
Lauren Benanti, known for impersonating Melania Trump on Colbert’s show, called him, “The greatest of them all,” while Questlove acknowledged the news with a subtle side-eye emoji on Instagram, conveying disappointment without words.
Details on the Cancellation and Political Undercurrents
The Late Show was taken over by Stephen Colbert in 2015, succeeding David Letterman. CBS confirmed that the show will not be replaced by another late-night host, signaling the end of the program on the network. In an official statement, CBS said,
We are proud that Stephen called CBS home,
adding that
He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television.
Despite CBS maintaining that the cancellation was unrelated to the show‘s content or performance, some viewers and political figures suspect otherwise. The timing of the cancellation, coming just days after Colbert criticized Paramount’s $16 million settlement with former President Donald Trump, has fueled claims of political retaliation.
Senator Elizabeth Warren expressed her concern on social media, stating,
CBS canceled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump — a deal that looks like bribery,
and added,
America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.
—Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator.
The Impact on the Music Community and Late-Night Television
The cancellation not only ends a decade-long late-night staple but also removes a significant platform for emerging and established musicians. The Late Show has provided valuable exposure to artists like Doechii and Gracie Abrams during pivotal moments in their careers, making the show‘s conclusion a notable loss for the music industry.
As CBS prepares to end The Late Show in 2026, uncertainty remains over the future of late-night entertainment on the network, while Stephen Colbert’s cultural influence and the show’s legacy continue to spark conversation and debate.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot get along?
A. Gadot stars as the Evil Queen in the live-action remake by Walt Disney Co. A source informed People on Friday that Gadot feels “bothered by the movie drama.” The source also mentioned she liked the filming experience and had no issues with Rachel. However, they clarified that Gadot and Rachel are not friends.
Q. Did Disney fire Rachel Zegler?
A. There have been rumors, but Rachel Zegler is still with Disney. The live-action Snow White came out as scheduled. However, controversy has surrounded the movie since it was first announced.
Q. What did Jennifer Lawrence say to Rachel Zegler?
A. Rachel Zegler shared that when she first met Jennifer Lawrence, Lawrence jokingly suggested they take a picture where she pretends to strangle Zegler while saying, “You’ll never take my part.”
