Additional Coverage:
- Seth Meyers slams CBS for being in ‘Trump’s pocket’ after Colbert canceled for same action (themirror.com)
Seth Meyers Takes a Parting Shot at CBS Ahead of Stephen Colbert’s Final “Late Show” Episode
At NBCUniversal’s Upfront presentation on Monday, May 11, Seth Meyers didn’t hold back when addressing the drama surrounding Stephen Colbert’s impending departure from CBS. The 52-year-old “Late Night” host used the platform to deliver some pointed jabs at the network and its handling of Colbert’s exit.
As one of five late-night hosts slated to appear on the final episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Meyers began with a sharp reference to the FCC chairman Brendan Carr’s repost of former President Donald Trump’s call for Colbert’s firing. “I am Seth Meyers, or as the FCC calls me: NEXT,” he quipped.
Meyers then took aim at CBS’s perceived cozy relationship with Trump, joking, “Seriously, what’s going on over there? They’re so in the pocket for Trump that I heard, next year, ‘Survivor’ is going to be filmed in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Drawing attention to CBS’s notably subdued upfront presentation this year, Meyers suggested the network’s quieter approach reflected more than just a scheduling change. “CBS did not hold an upfront presentation this year because ‘CBS upfront’ just describes how they paid Trump to drop the lawsuit,” he joked.
This came in the wake of Colbert’s own criticism last July regarding a $16 million settlement between Paramount and Trump over a disputed “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris. Colbert had described the settlement as, “big, fat bribe,” highlighting concerns about the intersection of media, politics, and legal pressure.
Just days after the settlement, CBS announced it would be canceling “The Late Show,” with its final episode set to air in May 2026. The network confirmed the show would end alongside Colbert’s tenure, calling him an “irreplaceable” host.
Adding to the controversy, Trump took to his Truth Social account to deny sole responsibility for Colbert’s firing. “Everybody is saying that I was solely responsible for the firing of Stephen Colbert from CBS, Late Night.
That is not true!” he wrote, blaming Colbert’s “pure lack of TALENT” and alleged $50 million annual losses for the decision.
Colbert’s final week on “The Late Show” will be a star-studded farewell, with interviews from Meyers, David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and John Oliver-all known for their candid critiques of the former president. The finale on Thursday, May 21, marks ten years since Colbert first took the helm of the CBS late-night staple.