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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
David Letterman blasts CBS and Paramount for canceling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: ‘Pure cowardice'
David Letterman has slammed CBS and Paramount for canceling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Letterman, who created the late night show over three decades ago, accused CBS of 'pure cowardice,' Fox News reported. David Letterman created The Late Show nearly 32 years ago(AP) Appearing on The Barbara Gaines Show, a podcast hosted by his former executive producer, David Letterman said he did not believe the claim that Stephen Colbert's was canceled for financial reasons. The comedian also talked about Paramount's $16 million settlement with US President Donald Trump and theorized that the deal was linked to The Late Show's cancellation. This is not the first time the television host has slammed CBS' decision. The 78-year-old posted a montage of him roasting CBS throughout the years after The Late Show's cancellation was announced. David Letterman slams CBS and Paramount "This is pure cowardice," Letterman said about CBS and Paramount's decision. "They did not do the correct thing. They did not handle Stephen Colbert — the face of that network — in the way he deserves to have been handled," he explained. Also Read: David Letterman takes a dig at CBS after cancellation of Stephen Colbert's Late Show He questioned the claims of the financial losses that Colbert's show was reportedly facing. "I'll bet they were losing this kind of money a month ago. I'll bet they were losing this kind of money six weeks ago. Or they have never been losing money," the television host claimed. David Letterman on Paramount's settlement with Donald Trump Letterman also spoke his mind on Paramount's decision to settle with Trump over the editing of a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris. The move came ahead of Paramount's merger with Skydance. On Thursday, federal regulators stated that they had voted to approve the merger, valued at $8 billion. Furthermore, Skydance CEO David Ellison has promised to eliminate all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs at Paramount, NPR reported. Skydance has not denied Trump's claims that the network will run public service announcements worth $20 million that were consistent with his ideological beliefs. David Letterman said that Skydance Media, which would soon be the new owners of Paramount, wanted to avoid any trouble with Trump, which is why they got rid of Colbert, who is an outspoken critic of the president, before the acquisition. As per Fox News, the chat show host David Ellison, as "the Oracle twins" on the podcast. Also Read: Joaquin Phoenix regrets his infamous David Letterman interview: 'It was horrible and uncomfortable' "The Ellison twins, the Oracle boys, they don't want any trouble along the lines of freedom of the press or free speech or freedom of expression," David Letterman claimed. "They don't want to get their hands dirty. They don't want the government going after them, because that concept of freedom of the press and freedom of speech — that's so old-fashioned," he explained. FAQs What did David Letterman say about the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's show? He called it an act of 'pure cowardice.' Was David Letterman part of The Late Show? Yes, he was the creator of the series. When will the last episode of Stephen Colbert's show air? The show will end in 2026.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
David Letterman calls Paramount 'gutless' for canceling Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show'
David Letterman, who hosted "The Late Show" from 1993 to 2015, joked that his predecessor, Stephen Colbert, is a "martyr" and questioned the motivations for canceling the CBS show. David Letterman is questioning the motivations behind the shock cancellation of his former CBS home, "The Late Show." Speaking with former "Late Night with David Letterman" colleagues Barbara Gaines and Mary Barclay in a July 25 clip from "The Barbara Gaines Show" on Letterman's YouTube channel, the 78-year-old comedian did not hold back. He threw barbs at CBS parent company Paramount Global and David Ellison, who's slated to become CEO after Paramount merges with his Skydance Media in an $8.4 billion deal. "It's all very strange. It's very complicated, but it was a bit of a surprise, wasn't it?" Letterman said. As the 14-minute Zoom conversation continued, he eventually called Paramount pulling the plug on Stephen Colbert's show "pure cowardice" and "gutless." Letterman hosted the show from 1993 until 2015, at which point Colbert took over post-"Colbert Report." After Colbert announced on July 17 that "The Late Show" would be ending in May after more than 30 years, Paramount released a statement that called the move "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night." The media company also maintained: "It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount." While Colbert's show is the top rated at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT, it was losing a reported $40 million a year. David Letterman blasts explanation that 'Late Show' was canceled for financial reasons Letterman speculated that Paramount is capitulating to Ellison, who might not "want any trouble from that guy," referring to Colbert, long known for his political satire and criticism of President Donald Trump. "Not only are we going to get rid of that guy, we're going to get rid of the whole franchise so you don't have to worry about another guy," Letterman said in an impersonation of Paramount executives. "It's gone, buddy!" "I think it's sad, but what this indicates also is (Ellison doesn't) want any trouble along the lines of freedom of the press or free speech or freedom of expression," Letterman surmised. "They don't want to get their hands dirty; they don't want the government going after them." He also cast doubt on the explanation that the "Late Show" cancellation was "purely a financial decision." "I don't think it was money. I think it was all to make sure (Ellison was) solid spending dad's (Larry Ellison's) money," he said. "You're telling me losing this kind of money happened yesterday?" he said. "I bet they were losing this kind of money a month ago. I'll bet they were losing this kind of money six weeks ago, or they have never been losing money. "Take a look at the CBS News. It's still in business, and I'm not certain that that's a profit center," he continued. What Letterman said before: The ex-host's subtle jab at CBS amid Colbert 'Late Show' cancellation 'We've all got to kiss Stephen Colbert's ring' Letterman, who was complimentary of Colbert and the work he's done since taking over Letterman's show, went on to excoriate Paramount's treatment of its star talent. "They did not do the correct thing. They did not handle Stephen Colbert, the face of that network, in the way he deserves to have been handled," he said. Letterman went on to declare that those who decided the fate of "The Late Show" would regret the move. "One day, if not today, the people at CBS who have manipulated and handled this are going to be embarrassed because this is gutless," Letterman said. "Now we've all got to kiss Stephen Colbert's ring now," he added, joking that he's a "martyr" for his firing.
