Stephen Colbert revealed that the end of “The Late Show” came without warning and left him surprised.
In a new interview, the comedian shared how the decision, tied to profitability, caught him off guard, especially so soon after signing a new contract.
Despite his upcoming exit from the show, Stephen Colbert has remained candid on-air, consistently criticizing President Donald Trump, who some believe to have played a role in Colbert’s firing.
In a recent chat with The Hollywood Reporter, Colbert revealed that news of his show ending didn’t come through some formal network sit-down. Instead, it came from his manager, face-to-face, which immediately set off alarm bells.
Colbert said he knew something was off the moment he heard James “Babydoll” Dixon was there to see him. He recalled being caught off guard, as he hadn’t expected such news, especially after signing a strong new deal.
“It hasn’t been two years since I signed my last contract, and they were feverish to lock me down. It was the best negotiation we’ve ever had,” Colbert said.
According to the comedian, the explanation was simple: the show wasn’t turning a profit. While he didn’t argue the business side of it, the timing still didn’t quite add up in his mind.
He admitted that the reason behind the decision “came as a surprise,” noting that “there’s no denying that the broadcast model is in huge trouble.”
“But our model [late night] within that overall model has been very profitable for, like, 70 years, starting with Steve Allen,” Colbert continued. “But maybe we were the first show to then be a detriment. Maybe we were the first one to flip in the other direction. I do not wish to litigate it. It’s their shop, and they can do what they want.”
Stephen Colbert Asked To Be Allowed To Poke Fun At His Firing And The $40 Million Claim
The cancellation also came during a period of major corporate shifts at Paramount Global, including a high-stakes merger and a controversial legal settlement involving President Donald Trump over a “60 Minutes” interview.
For critics and observers, the overlap raised questions, even if no direct link was ever confirmed.
In the months that followed, Colbert didn’t exactly stay quiet. He’s taken swings at the network, poked at its new leadership, and leaned into reports that the show was hemorrhaging $40 million a year.
That openness wasn’t accidental, as the comedian claims it was part of an understanding he reached with executives after the news broke. And on top of that, his nightly digs at Trump haven’t slowed down either.
There was a conversation later with his Paramount boss, George Cheeks, who reached out to acknowledge that the rollout of the decision could have been handled better.
“I’m not over here grinding a knife, but we are going to make jokes about how this went down and about the $40 million and about CBS’ apparent check-cutting spree to the president,” Colbert recalled about his chat with Cheeks. “That’s the show I want to do for 10 more months because I like working for CBS, and I’m not going to change that relationship between now and the end if you allow that to happen.”
Stephen Colbert’s Dream Guest Never Made It Before ‘The Late Show’ Ends
Still, there’s one thing Colbert didn’t get to check off his list. As the May 21 finale approaches, the comedian admitted his ultimate dream guest never made it to the stage: Pope Leo XIV.
He revealed in his interview that he wrote a letter, pitching a conversation about faith rather than politics, inviting the pontiff to discuss what it means to be an American Catholic.
Colbert said he tried to keep it thoughtful but still very much in his voice, jokingly opening with a line about hoping the message found the pontiff “well or, at the very least, infallible.”
The invitation, however, never got a response, and now, with the show ending, that opportunity is gone.
The loss of the show hits a bit harder for the comedian due to what he once believed about the job. When Colbert first took over in 2015, Jay Leno had called to congratulate him, joking that he’d landed a position for life.
Stephen Colbert Turns Attention To Longtime’ Lord Of The Rings’ Passion Project
Outside of late night, Colbert says he has been channeling his energy into something much closer to the heart, a long-developing project tied to “The Lord of the Rings.”
The comedian revealed he has been working on it quietly for about six years, describing it as a true passion project.
With “The Late Show” wrapping up, that project is finally getting his full attention. He’s now co-writing a new installment in the franchise, taking a more hands-on role than he’s been able to before. Even with new scripts and offers already coming in, he’s not in a rush to jump into the next thing.
More About Stephen Colbert’s ‘LOTR’ Plans
While there’s still the possibility of building something entirely original down the line, for now, Colbert is staying focused on the “Lord of the Rings” project.
As for skepticism from parts of the fanbase questioning his place in such a beloved franchise, Colbert noted that he isn’t trying to win the “trust” of the fans and will let the work speak for itself.
“I mean, there’s no reason to,” he told the publication. “And there’s no value in me addressing that because all you can do as — I’ll use a loaded term here — an artist is follow your heart and the craft that you have learned to try to turn this into something that is not fandom but drama.”
The comedian is also not doing it alone as he is collaborating with Philippa Boyens, whose history with the franchise adds a level of credibility that helps anchor the project.
