By Katherine Tinsley
8:32am PDT, Jul 22, 2025
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CBS claimed canceling
The Late Show was "purely a financial decision," but the announcement came days after host
Stephen Colbert criticized Paramount's $16 million settlement with
Donald Trump.
"Shows that say something, shows that take a stand, shows that are unafraid — this is not a 'We speak truth to power.' We don't," Jon Stewart said on
The Daily Show about the timing. "We speak opinions to television cameras. But we try. We f****** try, every night.
"And if you believe, as corporations or as networks, you can make yourself so innocuous that you can serve a gruel so flavorless that you will never again be on the boy king's radar — a.) why will anyone watch you? And you are f****** wrong," he added.
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Jon Stewart noted that
Stephen Colbert's show is extremely popular, which is why he's confused about the current situation.
"Watching Stephen exceed all expectations in the role and become the No. 1 late-night show on network television has been an undeniable great pleasure for me — as a viewer and as his friend," Stewart said.
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Jon Stewart later compared ending The Late Show to the old movie rental store Blockbuster.
"We're all basically operating a Blockbuster kiosk inside of a Tower Records," he noted. "When CDs stopped selling, they didn't just go, 'Oh, well, music, it's been a good run.'"
"This is not the moment to give in," Stewart said, as rumors spread that Paramount could cancel The Daily Show. "I'm not giving in. I'm not going anywhere — I think."
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In an episode of
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,
Stephen Colbert joked that CBS "made one mistake: They left me alive."
The comedian later hinted that he will use the final months of filming to be transparent about his opinions about Donald Trump and the nation.
"And now for the next 10 months, the gloves are off," he told the audience.
