CBS wasted no time in ushering out Stephen Colbert as it broadcasted his replacement mere seconds after the host's self-titled Late Show ended for the final time on Thursday night. The final moments had barely faded from television screens before CBS rolled directly into Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen, the syndicated comedy series set to occupy the same coveted 11.30pm time slot. It was a brutal transition for the almost seven million viewers who tuned into Colbert's farewell.
CBS Promotes Replacement During Farewell
But even before Colbert took his final bow, CBS had already begun promoting his replacement during the first commercial break of the farewell broadcast itself. A network promo announced: 'Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen starting May 22nd at 11.35pm.' By the time the credits rolled on Colbert's final episode, CBS immediately cut to Allen's show, sparking accusations the network was 'dancing on Colbert's grave' and rushing to erase one of late night television's most recognizable faces.
Fan Fury Over Abrupt Transition
The unceremonious transition sparked fury among Colbert's fans. 'The way CBS is trying to erase Stephen Colbert after his last show is disrespectful,' one viewer fumed. 'I hope the Byron Allen hour bombs and then CBS will have to find a new replacement for that time slot all I have to say is good luck CBS you're going to need it.'
Colbert's Controversial Final Season
Colbert, who took over from David Letterman in 2015, spent his final season of the show under an extraordinary cloud of controversy. His show was canned not long after the host described CBS' parent company Paramount's $16 million settlement to Donald Trump as a 'big fat bribe.' Paramount agreed to pay the massive sum to the president over a controversially edited '60 Minutes' interview. At the same time, Paramount's sale to Skydance Media in an $8.4 billion deal awaited the Trump administration's approval.
CBS insisted the decision to cancel the show, which was the ratings leader in the time slot, was purely financial, but others including Colbert suggested it was retaliation. Around that time, CBS brought in Bari Weiss, a right-wing journalist without significant TV experience, to run its news division.
Colbert's Farewell Episode
Colbert did not mention Trump directly during Thursday night's finale, instead using a recurring CGI wormhole gag as a metaphor for the president's impact on public life in America. 'I cannot adequately explain to you what the people who work here have done for each other and how much we mean to each other,' Colbert told his viewers. 'We were here to feel the news with you, and I don't know about you, but I sure have felt it.' There were still subtle digs sprinkled throughout the farewell, but the episode largely unfolded as a sentimental goodbye rather than an all-out political broadside.
Paul McCartney sang Beatles mega-hit Hello, Goodbye to the capacity crowd at New York's Ed Sullivan theater where the Beatles performed in 1964 when they made their US debut. 'We thought America was just the land of the free, the greatest democracy. Was. Still is hopefully,' he said, wagging his finger at Colbert.
Trump Reacts to Colbert's Exit
The president has long been a fierce critic of late-night talk show hosts and their jabs at him. Trump has called Colbert a 'pathetic trainwreck' who should be 'put to sleep.' Trump hailed the end of 'The Late Show' on Friday, posting on his Truth Social platform: 'Colbert is finally finished at CBS. Amazing that he lasted so long! No talent, no ratings, no life... Thank goodness he's finally gone!' the president added.
Colbert averaged 2.7 million viewers for the most recent quarter while the finale drew 6.74 million viewers, according to Nielsen data, making it the most-watched weeknight episode ever. The Daily Mail contacted CBS for comment.
