Stephen Colbert's final episode of 'The Late Show' aired on Thursday night, drawing hundreds of fans to the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York to mark the end of an era. The show, which had been a fixture on CBS for 33 years, was cancelled by Paramount Skydance last July, with the company citing a 'purely financial decision' amid changing media habits.
Fans gathered outside the theatre expressed mixed feelings about the cancellation. Many speculated that Colbert's frequent criticisms of former President Donald Trump played a role, despite Colbert himself refusing to engage in such speculation. Andrea Lobo, a math teacher from Ohio, said: 'They did him dirty. Free speech. He should be able to say what he says and not have backlash from the president.'
Some fans admitted they no longer watched the show on traditional broadcast television. Josephine, a healthcare provider from California, said she 'had palpitations' after securing tickets but hadn't 'watched broadcast in years,' instead following Colbert on YouTube or social media. Former TV industry worker Wendy Sloan noted that cancellations like these are 'nothing personal' but reflect an industry where speaking up can have consequences.
Conservative street performer Robert Burck, known as the Naked Cowboy, said he maintained a positive view of Colbert despite their political differences. 'People can say whatever the hell they want,' he said. Others, like educator Rick Hirschhaut, described the cancellation as 'a real pain point for people of conscience' but also 'a triumphant moment' because 'good ultimately prevails over evil.'
Ap Abrahamyan, a film and TV industry worker, was more blunt, accusing the new owners of CBS Paramount of 'sucking Trump's d—k' and getting rid of Colbert because he was 'too good at constantly checking all the stupid shit they do.' The cancellation has sparked debate over the role of politics in late-night television and the future of the format.
