When you search for Ed Sullivan Theater on Google Maps, the address is automatically corrected to “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.” Broadway, New York, New York.
For 33 years, CBS’s flagship late-night talk show has been synonymous with the historic performing arts venue (more than a decade before Google Maps first arrived on BlackBerry devices). However, after decades of cultural domination, its storied history came to an end over time. Paramount Skydance announced last July that it was canceling “The Late Show” as a “purely financial decision” due to advertising costs and a changing media environment that has shifted viewers away from late-night programming.
Ten months later, several hundred of his most ardent longtime viewers gathered outside the Ed Sullivan Theater Thursday night ahead of the final “Late Show” taping to celebrate and mourn the end of a cultural era. Variety spoke to dozens of fans on the ground about how they initially reacted to the cancellation and what they think was the root cause of CBS’ decision to end the series.
“I wasn’t very happy with CBS. Not at all.”
The cancellation of “The Late Show” sparked widespread debate about the extent to which Colbert’s criticism of the Trump administration was factored into Paramount Skydance’s decision, but Colbert himself said it was “reasonably conceivable” but declined to “engage in that speculation.” His fans weren’t too hesitant to speculate.
“I wasn’t very happy with CBS. I wasn’t happy at all,” said Andrea Lobo, an Ohio math teacher who attended the final taping with her daughter. “They smeared him. I mean, freedom of speech. He should be able to say what he says and not have any backlash from the president.”
“I don’t even watch TV broadcasts.”
Even some of Colbert’s most loyal fans weren’t tuning in to his late-night broadcasts. Josephine, a California health care provider, said she was “shaken up” after getting tickets to Colbert’s final taping, but admitted that she hadn’t “watched it in years.”
“Most of my generation watches (‘The Late Show’) on YouTube and social media,” Josephine said. “I’m sure his long-time and loving fans will follow him in whatever series he does next.”
“It’s nothing personal.”
A number of former television industry employees cited what one attendee described as the “unfortunate bureaucracy” in the entertainment industry and how such cancellations are often par for the course, despite the heightened news cycle surrounding Colbert’s sudden departure.
“Like Stephen, one day I was asked not to come anymore,” said Wendy Sloan, a former daytime TV host from Alberta, Canada. “It’s just an industry issue, it’s not personal. When you speak up, you anger those in power, so unfortunately there are consequences. I think we’ve gone backwards as a society in terms of free speech.”
“Did Trump make that happen? Got it!”
Robert Burke (the Naked Cowboy, as New Yorkers know him) was playing his guitar in Times Square as usual, when “someone at Reuters” alerted him that Colbert’s final show was to be held a few blocks away. The conservative street performer, a self-described “big Trump star,” has maintained a positive opinion of Colbert ever since he met him in the parking lot of the Paramount at 1515 Broadway.
“Even if I was like, ‘I don’t like that person because of his point of view,’ now I’m like, ‘He’s my buddy. I know him!'” Burke laughed. When asked if politics should be done late at night, he replied, “Who says anything? If you want to go into politics, go into politics. People can say whatever they want.”
“That’s a victory.”
Several fans praised Colbert’s willingness to “speak truth to power” and other great leadership qualities that they feel are not being exhibited by the current administration. Rick Hershhout, a Los Angeles-based educator who traveled to New York to “show solidarity” for Colbert despite not having a ticket to the taping, said the cancellation was “a real sore point for people of conscience” but also a “moment of triumph” in American history.
“This is a victory because life goes on, and in the end good triumphs over evil,” Hirschhout explained. “I believe in his humanity, his goodness, and his ability to bring out the best in those around him. He gave us a rush of adrenaline and a sense of hope that our country desperately needs today.”
“My family canceled Paramount+.”
Apu Abrahamian, who works in the “film and television industry,” didn’t mince words when asked why he thought “Late Show” was canceled. “The new owners of CBS Paramount are sucking the crap out of President Trump. They kicked him out because President Trump has become too good at constantly checking on the stupid things they’re doing.”
Jimmy Kimmel joked about forcing fans to cancel their Paramount+ subscriptions during a recent Strike Force Five episode of “The Late Show,” but some family members are still actively protesting Paramount.
“I know Paramount Plus has lost a lot of subscribers since they announced the layoffs,” Abrahamian said. “My family canceled Paramount Plus. We haven’t really interacted with as much CBS content as we normally would.”
“I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
Some fans have expressed doubts about whether late-night TV can continue to thrive on broadcast television going forward, especially under the oversight of the FCC under the Trump administration, which is investigating investigations into networks that give platforms to fervent political critics. Esteban Rejava, an audience member from Phoenix, Arizona, called Colbert’s firing “very unprecedented,” but said he was “not worried” about his future in media.
“He’s going to be OK,” Rehaba said. “Now that he doesn’t have to worry about those pressures, he’s free to do what he wants to do. I don’t think he’s done anything wrong other than telling the truth. I hope that at least there will be better protection against the FCC because it’s clearly being targeted right now by certain people who don’t want the joke on them.”
