Stephen Colbert’s ‘The Late Show’ Canceled: Musicians React

The Stephen Colbert-led Late Show has been canceled by CBS after a decade on the air, leaving countless fans — famous musicians included — in mourning.

The shocking move was announced Thursday (July 17), with the talk-show host delivering the news during that day’s taping that his final episode would run in May 2026. The network said in a statement that it was “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” though some fans and politicians have speculated that there must be more to the story.

Regardless, artists such as Kristin Chenoweth and Rachel Zegler are shocked. On Colbert’s recent Instagram post about the news, the Broadway legend wrote, “NOOOO!!!,” while the West Side Story actress commented: “i am extremely sad. i adore you, stephen.”

“Boooooo,” wrote Charlamagne tha God, who noted that he thinks the cancellation may have been informed by political reasons. “Paramount bending the knee to authoritarian strategy. I guess it’s Make America North Korea now!!! Appreciate you Always SC!!!”

Lauren Benanti, who impersonated Melania Trump on The Late Show, wrote, “The greatest of them all.”

Questlove simply shared a post about the news on his Instagram Story and added a side-eye emoji.

The cancellation of The Late Show comes 10 years after Colbert took it over from prior host David Letterman. CBS has made it clear that it won’t be replacing the Daily Show alum with someone new, but is canning the program altogether.

“We are proud that Stephen called CBS home,” the network added in its statement. “He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television.”

Despite CBS’ assertion that the decision was “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount,” some viewers are raising concerns that the network axed The Late Show due to Colbert’s years of criticism of President Donald Trump — as well as the comedian’s opposition to Paramount’s recent lawsuit settlement with the POTUS.

“CBS canceled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump — a deal that looks like bribery,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren wrote on X Thursday. “America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.”

No matter why The Late Show is coming to a close, one thing that’s for sure is that the music industry is losing a coveted performance slot in the process. The series has long showcased musical talent in its programming, giving artists such as Doechii, Gracie Abrams and more a platform back when their careers were just taking flight.

See Colbert’s post below.