David Letterman made a fiery return to his old stomping grounds to stand in solidarity with Stephen Colbert as his tenure on the network comes to an end.
The late-night legend did not hold back his frustration, openly criticizing the network’s leadership and participating in a chaotic display of defiance.
This update follows CBS’s 2025 announcement that the show would end for “financial reasons” after Skydance Media’s acquisition of Paramount.
On Thursday, 79-year-old Letterman returned to the Ed Sullivan Theater for one final appearance on the show he founded over three decades ago.
Joining the 62-year-old Colbert, Letterman used his platform to air his grievances about the cancellation of the franchise, jokingly saying, “I have every right to be p-ssed off, so I’ll be p-ssed off here a little bit.”
He reminded the audience that the theater was rebuilt under his watch and that he paved the way for Colbert’s success, emphasizing that while a network can take away a show, they cannot silence a person’s voice.
The veteran comedian also took a lighthearted jab at the future of other late-night hosts, questioning what would happen to “the Jimmys” now that the landscape is shifting.
The evening took a destructive turn when the two hosts headed to the roof of the theater to vent their frustrations on network property. Letterman expressed that destroying the furniture brought “true joy” to his heart as they tossed Colbert’s desk chair and the iconic guest sofas off the building. They even launched a commemorative cake sent by CBS to mark the show’s 1993–2026 run.
David Letterman Did Not Buy CBS’s Explanation For Ending ‘The Late Show’
While Letterman’s recent rooftop rebellion with Colbert was a physical display of his anger, his verbal attacks on CBS have been equally sharp.
In a recent interview, the legendary broadcaster didn’t mince words, describing the network executives as “lying weasels” for their handling of the show’s departure.
Although Letterman admitted he no longer feels a personal sense of ownership over the program, he remains fiercely protective of the legacy he built and the staff currently working there. The Blast reported that he compared the news of the shutdown to a poorly handled robbery.
Letterman also explicitly challenged the network’s claim that the move was a financial necessity due to the rise of streaming, insisting instead that the budget explanation was merely a cover for the true nature of the Skydance deal.
How David Letterman Feels About Stephen Colbert’s Replacement
Beyond his criticism of the network’s honesty, Letterman has also dissected the specific strategy CBS is using to fill the void left by Colbert’s departure.
During an appearance on “The Barbara Gaines Show” podcast, the former host explained that the network is prioritizing profit by drastically cutting production costs.
Instead of a traditional variety show, the 11:35 p.m. slot will be handed over to Byron Allen’s “Comics Unleashed,” followed by “Funny You Should Ask” at 12:35 a.m., per The Blast.
While he admitted that replacing a high-budget production with a simpler comedy talk show is a “pretty good idea” financially, it marks a significant departure from the established late-night format.
Stephen Colbert Was Suprised By The Cancellation Of His Show
Amid the corporate tension and set-piece destruction, Colbert broke his silence on the surprising end of his tenure. The comedian revealed that the news of the show’s cancellation came without any warning, catching him completely off guard just after he had signed a new contract.
While CBS maintains that the decision was based on profitability, Colbert admitted he was shocked to see the “Late Show” franchise being retired entirely rather than simply finding a new host, as reported by The Blast.
Notably, even with his departure looming, Colbert has remained candid on-air, continuing to offer sharp critiques of President Donald Trump. This persistence has led some, including several US senators, to wonder if the cancellation was influenced by political pressure rather than just financial concerns.
Stephen Colbert Is Already Looking At New Career Choices
While the political and corporate fallout of his cancellation remains a hot topic, Colbert is already preparing for a major creative shift.
The Blast confirmed that as his late-night era draws to a close this May, the 62-year-old host is moving into blockbuster filmmaking as a screenwriter for a new “The Lord of the Rings” project.
Working alongside his son, Peter McGee, and collaborator Philippa Boyens, Colbert is co-writing a film titled “Shadow of the Past.” The host, a lifelong fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, developed the story after discovering elements from the original books that were left out of the initial movie trilogy.