Who is Stephen Colbert?

Stephen Colbert is a comedian and late-night television host who gained fame for his satirical Comedy Central show, "The Colbert Report," which aired from 2005 to 2014. Since 2015, he has been the host of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on CBS, where he blends comedy with political and cultural commentary. The political satire show is set to end in May 2026 after being canceled.

What is the 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'?聽

"The Late Show," which Colbert took over from David Letterman in 2015, leaned into liberal politics during the Trump era and became a major platform for Democratic politicians. Since Stephen Colbert took over "The Late Show," some of his special guests have included Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), Zohran Mamdani, and more.

Why was 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' canceled?

CBS will cancel "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in 2026, insisting it鈥檚 a "financial decision" and has nothing to do with a looming ownership change. There has been speculation about the future of the Paramount-owned late-night programs, which also include "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central, as the planned corporate merger with Skydance Media is expected to take place later this year.