Will CBS axe Colbert earlier than the pre-announced May, 2026 cancellation?

[Hello My Son]

Colbert has committed to saying what he really things, telling his audiences that the "gloves are off" and that CBS "made one mistake" by leaving him "alive." He committed to grinding his axe with the network during his remaining time on the air.

It got me thinking that it puts CBS in an interesting dilemma. Colbert seems to be daring them to censor him or cancel him early. Depending on how brutal he is toward his bosses, it could not only skyrocket his ratings, but completely immortalize him if he is allowed to proceed with a no-holds barred approach. However, if CBS prematurely cancels him as a result of his hardcore criticism, it would make him a martyr and still immortalize him.

What do you think CBS will do?

 

[j brown's body]

Might depend on how it effects Trump.

 

[Taylor]

It really depends on how crazy Colbert gets. I'm leaning toward them allowing him to continue unless he becomes a complete embarrassment.

 

[uptower]

I put "yes" because I consider it highly likely.

Colbert is putting his audience first, speaking his mind, exercising his free speech and will continue digging even harder at the network and Trump for the rest of his tenure. There might be a breaking point where they just can't handle thd flak anymore.

But there's probably a massive early cancelation payout if they do...

 

[uptower]

Might depend on how it effects Trump.

It really depends on how crazy Colbert gets. I'm leaning toward them allowing him to continue unless he becomes a complete embarrassment.

Same thing bro.

And I suspect he intends to do just that...

 

[SuperDS77]

Colbert has committed to saying what he really things, telling his audiences that the "gloves are off" and that CBS "made one mistake" by leaving him "alive." He committed to grinding his axe with the network during his remaining time on the air.

It got me thinking that it puts CBS in an interesting dilemma. Colbert seems to be daring them to censor him or cancel him early. Depending on how brutal he is toward his bosses, it could not only skyrocket his ratings, but completely immortalize him if he is allowed to proceed with a no-holds barred approach. However, if CBS prematurely cancels him as a result of his hardcore criticism, it would make him a martyr and still immortalize him.

What do you think CBS will do?

I think they will can him before May 2026. Frankly it makes no sense why they would keep someone on who is a "short-timer" for a variety of reasons.

Typically when one gets fired, they are gone immediately. They may get severance etc., but for security and liability reasons it would make sense to do this sooner rather than later.

 

[Hari Seldon]

Colbert has committed to saying what he really things, telling his audiences that the "gloves are off" and that CBS "made one mistake" by leaving him "alive." He committed to grinding his axe with the network during his remaining time on the air.

It got me thinking that it puts CBS in an interesting dilemma. Colbert seems to be daring them to censor him or cancel him early. Depending on how brutal he is toward his bosses, it could not only skyrocket his ratings, but completely immortalize him if he is allowed to proceed with a no-holds barred approach. However, if CBS prematurely cancels him as a result of his hardcore criticism, it would make him a martyr and still immortalize him.

What do you think CBS will do?

He was awesome last night. Millions in the USA would love to tell the malignant narcissist scumbag piece of shit liar grifter rapist seditionist felon serial adulterer and tax cheat and pedophile to go **** himself.

 

[The Brad Dad]

It really depends on how crazy Colbert gets. I'm leaning toward them allowing him to continue unless he becomes a complete embarrassment.

CBS has now bribed Trump, they couldn't possibly be more embarrassed than they already are.

 

[Bok Tuklo]

I do not watch shows like this and I am not a young man. Hard to imagine the yutes watching it. I get that my TV consumption is probably atypical but still, almost no interest from me for the late-night topical comedy, celebrity, and maybe a band show.

This genre is probably dead.

 

[Lursa]

Colbert has committed to saying what he really things, telling his audiences that the "gloves are off" and that CBS "made one mistake" by leaving him "alive." He committed to grinding his axe with the network during his remaining time on the air.

It got me thinking that it puts CBS in an interesting dilemma. Colbert seems to be daring them to censor him or cancel him early. Depending on how brutal he is toward his bosses, it could not only skyrocket his ratings, but completely immortalize him if he is allowed to proceed with a no-holds barred approach. However, if CBS prematurely cancels him as a result of his hardcore criticism, it would make him a martyr and still immortalize him.

What do you think CBS will do?

Maybe but they have to pay him either way.

So which will cost them less in advertisers?

 

[roberthughey]

Cut him off at the knees.

 

[Lursa]

I think they will can him before May 2026. Frankly it makes no sense why they would keep someone on who is a "short-timer" for a variety of reasons.

Typically when one gets fired, they are gone immediately. They may get severance etc., but for security and liability reasons it would make sense to do this sooner rather than later.

He has a contract. I'm pretty sure his lawyers have pointed out what line(s) he'd have to cross to allow Paramount to get rid of him without having to paying him.

 

[SuperDS77]

He has a contract. I'm pretty sure his lawyers have pointed out what line(s) he'd have to cross to allow Paramount to get rid of him without having to paying him.

Understood. They might just decide to pay him regardless.

 

[roberthughey]

Maybe but they have to pay him either way.

So which will cost them less in advertisers?

They will pay his contract off.

I wonder if will sue CBS/Paramount?

 

[Lursa]

Might depend on how it effects Trump.

That's just it...how much can TACO take? To me, that's the real deciding factor. How much pressure/threats he'll pile on Paramount.

 

[Lursa]

They will pay his contract off.

I wonder if will sue CBS/Paramount?

If they pay his contract off, why would he sue?

He'll just go work elsewhere if he wants to. It's not like he has to.

 

[Hari Seldon]

I do not watch shows like this and I am not a young man. Hard to imagine the yutes watching it. I get that my TV consumption is probably atypical but still, almost no interest from me for the late-night topical comedy, celebrity, and maybe a band show.

This genre is probably dead.

Not dead but with all the other options in entertainment and news at your fingertips it certainly won't be what it was. Still his audience actually increased a bit but apparently still too expensive to produce if you believe the CBS narrative. I certainly enjoy it. Maybe he will do something like John Oliver on HBO. He is also fantastic.

 

[roberthughey]

If they pay his contract off, why would he sue?

He'll just go work elsewhere if he wants to. It's not like he has to.

For canceling his show for other than financial reason of losing $40 million a year.

 

[Lursa]

For canceling his show for other than financial reason of losing $40 million a year.

Why? That's not up to him and if that's the reason, it's also not up to him. That's a valid reason to cancel. Paramount doesnt owe him a show...just what's promised in his contract.

 

[Phys251]

I do not watch shows like this and I am not a young man. Hard to imagine the yutes watching it. I get that my TV consumption is probably atypical but still, almost no interest from me for the late-night topical comedy, celebrity, and maybe a band show.

This genre is probably dead.

Political comedy is news that masquerades as comedy. Right-wing propaganda is comedy that masquerades as news.

For canceling his show for other than financial reason of losing $40 million a year.

I think that CBS is lying about losing money on the Late Show.

 

[Trumpetman]

Colbert has committed to saying what he really things, telling his audiences that the "gloves are off" and that CBS "made one mistake" by leaving him "alive." He committed to grinding his axe with the network during his remaining time on the air.

It got me thinking that it puts CBS in an interesting dilemma. Colbert seems to be daring them to censor him or cancel him early. Depending on how brutal he is toward his bosses, it could not only skyrocket his ratings, but completely immortalize him if he is allowed to proceed with a no-holds barred approach. However, if CBS prematurely cancels him as a result of his hardcore criticism, it would make him a martyr and still immortalize him.

What do you think CBS will do?

The reason they said May of 2026 is that is when his contract is finished. I'm sure a lot of other contracts related to the show are concurrent.

He can continue to throw a tantrum and be taken off the air and many other people won't be getting their paychecks who are not under a contract.

He show grow up.

 

[roberthughey]

Why? That's not up to him and if that's the reason, it's also not up to him. That's a valid reason to cancel. Paramount doesnt owe him a show...just what's promised in his contract.

The Hoolywood elites are running round saying the show was canceled for political reasons.

 

[Lursa]

The Hoolywood elites are running round saying the show was canceled for political reasons.

Again...Paramount doesnt owe him a show. What law says they cant cancel a show for political reasons? There's no discrimination being exhibited.

 

[roberthughey]

Political comedy is news that masquerades as comedy. Right-wing propaganda is comedy that masquerades as news.



I think that CBS is lying about losing money on the Late Show.

It said to cost around $100 to produce only earns around $60 million in advertising.

That would a big lie.

Colbert gets less than a 1/4 million viewers a night but still better than the other two late night shows.

 

[Phys251]

It said to cost around $100 to produce only earns around $60 million in advertising.

That would a big lie.

Colbert gets less than a 1/4 million viewers a night but still better than the other two late night shows.

There is no way that a talk show needs $100 million to produce. You're just convincing me further that CBS is cooking the books.