Stephen Colbert’s Late Show Canceled: A Look Back at Its Premiere and the End of an Era
The news hit hard: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026, marking the close of a 33-year franchise that began with David Letterman. CBS cited “purely a financial decision” due to the challenging late-night TV landscape, not poor ratings as some speculated. As a New Yorker who witnessed the transition from Letterman to Colbert firsthand, I’m reflecting on the show’s vibrant premiere and its bittersweet finale.
My Front-Row Seat to the End of Letterman’s Era
When I worked in New York City, I was lucky enough to attend multiple tapings of The Late Show with David Letterman. I was there for the final show in 2015, rubbing elbows with celebrities who came to pay tribute to a late-night legend. After the curtains closed, I watched the crew dismantle the iconic set at the Ed Sullivan Theater.
One day, curiosity led me to the dumpster outside. Among the discarded treasures, I found a megaphone famously used by Bill Murray on the show and a quirky plush rat with painted blood—likely a prop or someone’s desk mascot. I even snagged a list of phone numbers tied to every staff member’s desk in the building. Those moments felt like holding pieces of TV history.
The Exciting Premiere of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Fast forward to September 8, 2015—the premiere of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. I was thrilled. Back then, Colbert was known for his sharp wit on The Colbert Report, before his monologues leaned heavily into political commentary. The energy outside the Ed Sullivan Theater was electric. A massive truck handed out glass bottles of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Rare Col’ Brew Cold Brew Coffee,” a quirky promotional stunt I still remember fondly.
The media frenzy was intense. I spotted Brian Stelter, then with CNN, covering the event, alongside Les Moonves, the CBS CEO who later resigned amid controversy. The buzz was undeniable—Colbert was poised to redefine late-night TV.
Why Was The Late Show Canceled?
Despite its consistent status as the #1 late-night show for nine seasons, averaging 2.4 million viewers in Q2 2025, CBS announced the cancellation as part of a broader retreat from late-night programming. The network emphasized that the decision wasn’t tied to performance or content but rather the declining economics of linear TV.
Colbert himself was blindsided, learning of the cancellation just the night before announcing it to his audience. “This is all just going away,” he told a booing crowd, expressing gratitude for his team and fans.
A Nostalgic Farewell to a Late-Night Staple
As The Late Show prepares to sign off, I’m reminded of those early days when Colbert’s humor felt fresh and the Ed Sullivan Theater buzzed with possibility. Check out these exclusive photos from the 2015 premiere, capturing the excitement of a new chapter that’s now closing.
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