Stephen Colbert, the renowned host of ‘The Late Show,’ surprised many fans when he shared that he was not immediately informed of the show’s cancellation. The revelation came during his appearance on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on September 30, where Colbert and Kimmel swapped guest spots on their respective shows simultaneously. Colbert humorously disclosed that he was on vacation enjoying Greek delicacies and rosé when his manager, James “Baby Doll” Dixon, learned about the show’s fate in July.
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During his vacation, Colbert’s manager requested a 15-minute discussion, leading Colbert to speculate about the purpose of the meeting. Little did he know that it was about the cancellation of ‘The Late Show.’ Colbert said, “He didn’t want to ruin my vacation because they told me a couple of days before I got home.” Colbert, far away at sea during the revelation, jokingly mentioned, “I was drowning my entire life in spanakopita and Greek rosé, it was fantastic.”
Despite learning about the show’s cancellation, Colbert contemplated sharing the news with his staff after the summer break. However, his wife encouraged him to inform the staff the next day. The prospect of breaking the news to his team left him visibly anxious, with him sweating through his shirt as he walked through the offices. Ultimately, Colbert decided to share the news only with his executive producer, Tom Purcell, to avoid affecting the show’s production.
Colbert finally broke the news of the show’s cancellation on July 17, privately informing his staff beforehand. The revelation was met with mixed reactions from the live audience at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. Colbert’s candid and off-the-cuff announcement evoked initial laughter from the audience, mistaken for a comedic bit until the reality sank in.
Colbert’s appearance on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ also coincided with Kimmel’s return to television after a hiatus and followed Colbert’s announcement of ‘The Late Show’s’ end. The decision to end the series after ten seasons was attributed by CBS to a financial choice amid the challenging late-night TV landscape. This significant development occurred shortly after Colbert’s critique of Paramount’s settlement with former President Donald Trump.
In response to Colbert’s cancellation news, Kimmel expressed solidarity and support for his fellow late-night host, expressing his respect and frustration towards the situation. Kimmel’s empathetic stance was further illustrated by his billboard campaign in Los Angeles to endorse Colbert for an Emmy, an accolade the show eventually clinched.
The behind-the-scenes revelations about Colbert’s delayed knowledge of the show’s cancellation shed light on the complexities of navigating the television industry. Colbert’s honest and lighthearted recounting of his vacation-turned-revelation serves as a reminder of the unpredictability in show business and the resilience required to face unexpected challenges.