Following The Late Show’s Cancellation Drama, Stephen Colbert Weighs In On Why Late-Night Talk Shows Should Continue To Exist

by

Late-night television is facing changes, as traditional entertainment companies rethink how these shows are made. In recent years, networks have been cutting back on funding or canceling late-night programs altogether – a recent example being the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show by CBS. Despite these shifts, Colbert believes there’s still a place for talk shows in the current media environment.

Stephen Colbert has been a late-night fixture for years, first with The Colbert Report (where he played a character based on himself) and now with The Late Show. In a recent interview with GQ, the long-time host talked about the future of late-night television. As his own show is ending, he was asked whether hosts like Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon should continue, and he offered an insightful perspective.

We’re like a friend who reflects on the day and shares their observations with you. It’s really about how we – or rather, I – processed everything that happened, the things that might have caused you strong emotions like confusion, anger, happiness, or surprise. I share those feelings with the audience, and that creates a sense of connection and community, whether they react with laughter or not.

More on late-night TV

Conan O’Brien acknowledges many people are worried about what’s next for television, but he still feels hopeful. Here’s why.

Late-night talk shows have a rich tradition in the United States. For many years, people have enjoyed inviting talented hosts like Ed Sullivan, Johnny Carson, David Letterman, and Conan O’Brien into their homes each night (along with their memorable sidekicks!). These hosts would discuss current events and share the reactions of both the studio audience and those watching at home.

Stephen Colbert suggests that talk show hosts often provide a sense of comfort to people who are feeling let down by current events. He also rightly points out that watching talk shows can be a shared experience. Beyond that, Colbert highlighted another important role his show plays.

It’s becoming harder to find those neutral places – not home, not work – where people can just gather and connect. For many Americans, late-night talk shows fill that role, offering a place to come together and reflect on the day.

Colbert acknowledged that people have many choices for how they spend their free time. However, he believes talk shows offer a unique benefit that sets them apart.

People naturally seek places to discuss things they care about – whether it’s a book, movie, TV show, a political issue, a new idea, or a scientific discovery. While many platforms exist now, they often cater to specific, smaller groups of followers. This is different from the past, when simply turning on the television offered a shared experience for everyone – a general audience – regardless of individual viewpoints.

It’s still surprising to many that new episodes of The Late Show won’t be airing this time next year. CBS and Paramount announced the show’s cancellation in July, citing financial concerns. Several stars, including Bowen Yang and Jimmy Kimmel, voiced their disappointment. Some people wondered if the decision was influenced by Stephen Colbert’s criticism of CBS’s $16 million settlement with Donald Trump, but Colbert himself isn’t focusing on those rumors.

Stephen Colbert’s priority right now is finishing his show strongly. More broadly, there’s a lot of uncertainty about the future of late-night television, and hosts like Seth Meyers are worried about what’s next. For now, though, I think we’ll continue to see talk show hosts doing what they always have.

Read More

2025-11-05 00:09