Latest news with #Letterman
Buzz Feed
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
David Letterman Shredded CBS With Just 6 Brutal Words Over Stephen Colbert's Cancellation
David Letterman slammed CBS using a not-so-subtle jab on his YouTube channel on Monday after the network announced that it would cancel The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, a franchise he began over 30 years ago. 'You can't spell CBS without BS,' wrote Letterman in the caption of a 20-minute video compilation of moments where he criticized the network during his Late Show run. The upload to Letterman's channel comes less than a week after CBS revealed that it would end The Late Show — which he hosted from 1993 until his 2015 retirement — in May 2026, claiming the move was 'purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.' While the program reportedly faced financial challenges in recent years, critics have accused CBS of making a politically motivated decision as Colbert — a frequent critic of Donald Trump — recently mocked the network's parent company over a $16 million settlement with the president. The timing of the settlement raised questions as Paramount Global has sought to win over the Federal Communications Commission's chair, a Project 2025 contributor who has embraced Trump, on a multibillion-dollar deal to merge with Skydance Media. Letterman, a critic of Trump who has expressed regret over his interviews with the then-real estate developer during his decades at The Late Show, joins a number of other late-night figures who have weighed in on the shock CBS decision. Jimmy Kimmel, in an Instagram Stories update while on vacation from his ABC show last week, showed love to Colbert before dropping a blistering jab directed at his network. 'F**k you and all your Sheldons CBS,' he wrote. Last Week Tonight host John Oliver and NBC late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers have all expressed sadness over the news in recent days, as well. Oliver, Fallon, Meyers, Daily Show host Jon Stewart, Watch What Happens Live! host Andy Cohen, and other celebs all showed support for Colbert in an appearance on Monday's episode of The Late Show.
USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
David Letterman takes subtle aim at CBS amid Colbert 'Late Show' cancellation
David Letterman hasn't spoken out specifically about CBS' cancellation of the late night talk show just yet, but he's dropping hints about where he stands. Letterman hosted "The Late Show" for more than 20 years before being succeeded by Stephen Colbert in 2015. On July 17, Colbert announced that the network was canceling the series for good. Seemingly in response, Letterman's official YouTube channel has uploaded a 20-minute compilation of the comedian roasting CBS during his tenure on the show over the years. While the clips are old, the video was added to YouTube on Monday, July 21, as CBS faces criticism for canceling "The Late Show." "You can't spell CBS without BS," the description of the video read. The video includes moments of Letterman, 78, slamming the "bumbling executives" at CBS and complaining that the network doesn't care about his show. USA TODAY has reached out to a representative for Letterman for further comment. The timing of the upload didn't go unnoticed by fans. "Thanks, Letterman people, for still taking potshots at the network," one YouTube comment read. Stephen Colbert's friends Jon Stewart, Fallon support him on 'Late Show' The compilation video wasn't the only pointed upload on Letterman's YouTube channel since the news about the "Late Show" broke. On July 18, the channel also uploaded a 2006 "Late Show" interview with Colbert, then the host of "The Colbert Report" on Comedy Central, who discussed mocking President George W. Bush at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. "This channel's reaction time remains undefeated. Whoever makes the decision to post timely clips: thank you," one YouTube commenter wrote. Colbert, 61, made the shocking announcement that CBS has canceled the "Late Show" on Thursday, July 17. The network has opted to end the show entirely in May 2026, rather than replace Colbert as host. Stephen Colbert is out at CBS. Is all of late-night TV officially doomed? The decision has sparked a wave of support for Colbert and criticism of CBS. Some have accused the network's parent company, Paramount, of canceling the show to appease President Donald Trump amid a pending merger with Skydance Media that requires federal approval. Colbert is an outspoken critic of Trump and regularly mocks the president on his show. The cancellation news also came just days after Colbert criticized Paramount for a controversial $16 million settlement with Trump, who sued over a "60 Minutes" interview with Kamala Harris that he claimed was deceptively edited. Colbert slammed the settlement as a "big fat bribe" on July 14. But Paramount has maintained that canceling "The Late Show" was "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night." Letterman served as host of "The Late Show" from 1993 to 2015, after previously hosting "Late Night" on NBC from 1982 to 1993. Since retiring from late-night, Letterman has occasionally hosted a talk show on Netflix, "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction." Contributing: Bryan Alexander; Reuters
Boston Globe
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
End of an era: As CBS pushes Colbert out, a look back at the network's late-night history
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. Advertisement 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 Advertisement 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.' Advertisement '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.' Advertisement 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 Advertisement 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
Bloomberg
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Bloomberg
Stephen Colbert's ‘Late Show' to End in May as CBS Cites Finances
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will air its last episode in May of next year, marking the end of the late-night franchise, Paramount Global 's CBS network said. Colbert, who has hosted the program for a decade, announced the show's end during a taping on Thursday. He said he learned about the network's decision the day before. His audience booed the news of its demise. Colbert replaced David Letterman, who created and hosted the program for 22 years.
New York Post
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Joaquin Phoenix addresses ‘horrible' 2009 David Letterman interview: ‘One of the worst nights of my life'
Joaquin Phoenix deeply regrets his infamous David Letterman interview. The 'Joker' actor, 50, appeared on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' Tuesday and looked back on the infamous exchange he had with Letterman, 78, in the same NYC studio over 15 years ago. At the time, Phoenix was promoting his 2010 mockumentary 'I'm Still Here,' which followed him retiring from acting and becoming a hip hop artist. When he went on Letterman's show, Phoenix transformed into his spoof character and acted bizarrely. Advertisement 5 Joaquin Phoenix on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.' Late Show with Stephen Colbert/Youtube 5 Joaquin Phoenix and David Letterman in 2009. Letterman/Youtube 'When I came on this show with Dave, I originally did the pre-interview in character and I realized that it was just a little silly,' Phoenix recalled to Colbert, 61. Advertisement 'So I called them back and I said, 'Listen, this is what I'm doing. I'm coming out here and I'm doing this whole thing. And I just want Dave to like, lacerate me. I just want it to be really dangerous,'' the actor stated. 'So that was the kind of intention,' Phoenix added. 'I just always wanted to get this reaction and see how I would respond to that. So it was beneficial for no one to know, except when needed.' The Oscar winner went on to call the interview 'horrible' and 'uncomfortable.' Advertisement 'I regret it, I'll never do it again,' he shared. 'I'm so sorry.' 'I don't know if he's watching,' Colbert joked to Phoenix about Letterman, as Phoenix offered a direct apology to the former 'Late Show' host. 'He might be and I just need to say, I'm sorry,' Phoenix said. 5 Joaquin Phoenix on David Letterman's show in 2009. Letterman/Youtube Advertisement Colbert told Phoenix he watched the 2009 interview live and called it 'great TV.' Phoenix, joking about his return to the Ed Sullivan Theater, said to Colbert: 'I imagine they did a major exorcism after I left.' 5 Joaquin Phoenix's mockumentary 'I'm Still Here.' Magnolia Pictures The talk show host then pointed out that Phoenix 'got what you wanted' from his infamous sit-down with Letterman. 'It was strange because in some ways, it was a success,' the 'Walk the Line' star said, 'and it was also just one of the worst nights of my life.' 5 Joaquin Phoenix at the 'Eddington' photocall at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. DGP/imageSPACE / MEGA Phoenix previously apologized to Letterman when he returned to 'The Late Show' in 2010. Advertisement 'I hope I didn't offend you in any way,' Phoenix said. 'You've interviewed many, many people and I assumed that you would know the difference between a character and a real person, but I apologize.' But Letterman wasn't insulted, saying to Phoenix, 'I'm telling you, it was so fun.'
