End of an era: As CBS pushes Colbert out, a look back at the network's late-night history

Boston Globe

18-07-2025

Where CBS goes from here with its late night offerings we don't know yet. But here's a look at the network's timeline in that time slot, from the early years of Faye Emerson and Merv Griffin to the golden eras of Letterman and Colbert.
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The early years: Before 'The Late Show'
CBS's history with late-night TV shows goes back to 1949, when it first aired 'The Faye Emerson Show,' a groundbreaking, 15-minute program hosted by the eponymous star. The short-lived program was one of the first late-night talk shows, according to
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In August 1969, the network revived 'The Merv Griffin Show,' which had initially aired on NBC from 1962 to 1963, and in syndication from 1965 to 1969. The series would air on CBS weeknights at 11:30 p.m. through 1972, before returning to first-run syndication until its cancelation in 1986 (its set, of course, would live on in infamy thanks to Kramer in a 1997 episode of 'Seinfeld').
Making barely a blip, 'Wheel of Fortune' host Pat Sajak had a
The arrival of David Letterman and 'The Late Show'
After early attempts at late-night shows didn't live up to ratings expectations, CBS finally found its big after-hours hit with the arrival of Letterman and 'The Late Show' in 1993. When NBC crowned Jay Leno its 'Tonight Show' successor over him, Letterman jumped ship for his own show at CBS, going head-to-head with Leno for years, as the late-night juggernauts battled in the ratings (with
During his more than two decade tenure, Letterman turned 'The Late Show' into a cornerstone of CBS's programming with his irreverent humor, memorable interviews, and creative bits like his recurring 'Top Ten' lists.
CBS expands with the launch of 'The Late Late Show'
Importing another former NBC talk show host, CBS expanded its late-night programming in 1995 with the launch of 'The Late Late Show,' airing in the time slot after Letterman's show. With longtime newscaster Tom Snyder at the helm from 1995 to 1999, the show delivered serious interviews with stars and luminaries like George Carlin, David Lynch, and even Letterman. Snyder's dry style long provided fodder for comedic gold, with Dan Aykroyd doing impressions of him on 'Saturday Night Live.'
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'The Late Late Show' format pivoted to comedy when former 'The Daily Show' host and 'SportsCenter' anchor Craig Kilborn took over in 1999. Kilborn turned in a memorable, though similarly short, run as host, deciding to leave the show 2004. He told
The Craig Ferguson era of 'The Late Late Show'
CBS hit its sweet spot of late-night success in the early 2000s as Letterman continued to draw an audience, despite often losing in the ratings to Leno.
Scottish comedian Craig Ferguson took over the desk at 'The Late Late Show' in 2005. Wacky, unpredictable, and filled with puppets and robot sidekicks (we still miss you Geoff Peterson), the Ferguson era is up there with Conan O'Brien's early run on NBC (and later run on TBS) when it comes to pushing the envelope of late-night comedy. Ferguson left 'The Late Late Show' in 2014, with Letterman leaving 'The Late Show' the following year, marking the end of an era at CBS.
James Corden reinvents 'The Late Late Show'
Love it or hate it, James Corden became 'The Late Late Show' host in 2015, reinventing the series with the introduction of a house band led by comedian and musician Reggie Watts, plus with a communal guest interview set-up more akin to Andy Cohen's 'Watch What Happens Live' on Bravo. Corden also turned the show into a viral sensation with his 'Carpool Karaoke' segments, driving around town singing tunes with famous musicians.
Colbert takes 'The Late Show' baton from Letterman
To fill Letterman's shoes, CBS bet on Colbert, who kicked off his 'Late Show' run in the fall of 2015. Colbert had earned acclaim and a cult following for playing a fictionalized version of himself as host of the political satire talk show 'The Colbert Report,' which aired on Comedy Central from 2005 to 2014. The Emmy-winning series was a breakout role for Colbert, who had gotten noticed as a correspondent on Comedy Central's 'The Daily Show.'
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Paying homage to Letterman's legacy while bringing his polished brand of thoughtful, topical humor to the desk, Colbert rode his wave of popularity to the top when he joined 'The Late Show,' which continues to be a critical and ratings hit. According to
Corden and 'The Late Late Show' bid farewell
CBS pulled the plug on 'The Late Late Show' in 2023, replacing it briefly with the comedy talk series 'Comics Unleashed' hosted by Byron Allen. 'Comics Unleashed' had aired for years in syndication starting way back in 2006.
The life and death of 'After Midnight'
Just last year, CBS launched 'After Midnight' hosted by comedian Taylor Tomlinson, its first female late night host since 1949, to air after Colbert's show on weeknights. The series featured Tomlinson in a bit of a game show host role, quizzing a trio of comedians and celebrities each episode with games centered around pop culture, memes, and other topics du jour. 'After Midnight' survived less than two years. CBS cancelled it in March, and
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Curtains for Colbert and 'The Late Show'
That brings us to Thursday's big shock. Colbert revealed to his studio audience that he'd just learned the news the night before about the show's cancelation; they responded by raining down boos and jeers. Amid the pending sale of parent company Paramount to Skydance Media, we don't know what the future holds for CBS's late night slot and Colbert after he exits next May. Since Paramount also owns Comedy Central, a reboot of 'The Colbert Report' seems unlikely. Speculation has only begun.
Matt Juul can be reached at