Ben Stiller, Rachel Zegler, Judd Apatow and other stars have expressed disappointment and anger following the announcement that Stephen Colbert's Late Show will end next year. The decision comes days after Colbert criticised CBS's parent company Paramount for settling a lawsuit with Donald Trump for $16 million, calling it a 'big fat bribe'. Paramount is seeking approval for a merger with Skydance, run by David Ellison, son of a close Trump ally.
Colbert told his audience: 'It is a fantastic job. I wish someone else was getting it. And it is a job I am looking forward to doing with this usual gang of idiots for another 10 months.' The show, which has run for 33 years on CBS, recently received an Emmy nomination for talk series.
Ben Stiller wrote on X: 'Sorry to hear @CBS is canceling one of the best shows they have. Wishing all the people who work so hard on that show all the best.' Judd Apatow expressed 'bottomless' admiration, while Katie Couric said she was 'so upset'. Rachel Zegler wrote: 'i am extremely sad. i adore you, stephen.'
Author Stephen King questioned if it was a joke, and Jamie Lee Curtis told a red carpet interviewer that 'it’s bad' and 'they’re trying to silence people'. Senator Bernie Sanders linked the cancellation to Colbert's criticism of the Trump settlement, writing: 'Days later, he’s fired. Do I think this is a coincidence? NO.'
Fellow late-night hosts also reacted. Jimmy Kimmel mocked CBS's comedy shows, Jimmy Fallon said he was 'shocked', and Seth Meyers praised Colbert as a person. Donald Trump celebrated on Truth Social, calling Colbert's talent 'even less than his ratings' and predicting Kimmel is next.
