Sam Bee Nails A Brutal Truth Of Colbert’s Cancellation

Former “Full Frontal” host Samantha Bee has shared her thoughts on CBS’s decision to cancel “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” labeling it as “awful” but not entirely unexpected and “such a no-brainer” for the network.

During an appearance on Tom Papa’s “Breaking Bread” podcast, Bee expressed being “shocked but not surprised” by the cancellation of the late-night show.

She pointed out that traditional late-night shows are facing financial challenges, with dwindling viewership and changing media consumption habits. People nowadays are constantly on their phones and are well-informed about current events, making recaps less necessary.

Tom Papa mentioned that “The Late Show” was reportedly losing $40 million annually, and CBS’s parent company had been navigating a merger with Skydance, requiring approval from the Trump administration.

Bee emphasized that making jokes about Trump could have jeopardized the merger, given the president’s sensitivity and influence.

Reflecting on her own show’s cancellation due to corporate mergers, Bee highlighted the vulnerability of late-night shows in such situations.

She suggested that while efforts were made to save “The Late Show,” cutting it loose was likely the easier decision amidst the impending merger.

CBS has announced that “The Late Show” will conclude in May 2026.

Since the cancellation news broke, Colbert has been increasingly critical of both Trump and the network, leading to speculation about the future of his show.

Papa speculated that Colbert could potentially follow the path of Tucker Carlson by launching a new platform post-firing, to which Bee agreed, noting that Colbert would have various opportunities ahead of him.