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“I think we’re the first number one show to ever get canceled.” The line landed in a GQ exit interview this week and immediately raised the stakes for late-night TV as CBS prepares to retire its franchise May 2026. The host blamed corporate choices tied to a $16 million settlement, while the network framed the move as a financial decision. That collision of money, audience and reputation matters for anyone who watches or works in TV – but what does it actually change for viewers and crews?
What you need to know about the remark that shocked fans in 2025
• The late-night host told GQ on November 3, 2025; impact: show ends May 2026.
• CBS described the cut as a financial move; impact: late-night franchise retirement.
• Paramount paid $16 million to settle a lawsuit; host called it a “big fat bribe.”
Why this line split fans and producers this week and what’s next
The quoted line landed as a broadside at corporate choices and reopened arguments about network priorities. A pool interview at the Chateau Marmont framed the exit as both personal and public. Short sentence.
Presenting the first cover star of GQ’s 30th annual Men of the Year issue: Stephen Colbert
In an exclusive exit interview, @stephenathome pulled no punches about the end of The Late Show after nearly a decade at number one https://t.co/39NzAKiVkx pic.twitter.com/7dXYHPjLeZ
— GQ Magazine (@GQMagazine) November 3, 2025
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If you follow late-night, this felt like a new chapter – will talent push back or move on?
How reactions fell along political lines and created surprise allies
Some fans saw the remark as proof of corporate appeasement; others read it as a comedian processing an ending. Industry insiders defended staff layoffs as budget reality, while talent and viewers highlighted the show’s 10 million online followers. Short sentence.
Which numbers explain the fallout: viewers, payout, May 2026
| Metric | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Digital subscribers | 10 million | Large online audience for the show |
| Settlement payout | $16 million | Paid by Paramount to settle lawsuit |
| Franchise end date | May 2026 | CBS retires late-night the following year |
The cancellation pits a 10 million digital audience against a $16 million corporate payout.
Who actually spoke these words and why the reveal matters in 2025
“I think we’re the first number one show to ever get canceled,” said Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show, in a GQ cover interview. He framed the cancellation as surprising and linked it to the network’s decision-making after Paramount’s $16 million settlement. That disclosure matters because it turns a personnel loss into a reputational debate for a major broadcaster. Short sentence.
What will this cancellation mean for late-night TV in 2026?
Networks will now weigh profit, politics and prestige differently as talent considers independent platforms and studios reassess liability costs. Staffers face redeployment or job loss, and audiences could follow hosts online rather than tune in to linear TV. Bold fact: May 2026 marks the official end date that networks and advertisers must plan around. Who benefits if late-night unbundles from broadcast – and who loses?
Sources
- https://www.gq.com/story/stephen-colbert-gq-cover-story-interview-men-of-the-year-2025
- https://deadline.com/2025/11/stephen-colbert-talks-late-show-ending-future-plans-1236605351/
- https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/arts/television/stephen-colbert-late-show-canceled-why.html
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.