The announcement made by the host during Thursday night’s broadcast that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will be canceled next year is causing a stir in the television industry. Stephen Colbert, who has been hosting the show for a decade and is the top-rated late-night host among the original three American broadcast networks, made the announcement shortly after criticizing a controversial settlement between Paramount and CBS’s parent company and U.S. President Donald Trump.
CBS executives explained that the decision to end the show is primarily due to financial reasons amid a challenging late-night landscape. They clarified that Colbert will not be replaced by another host for the show.
Comparing the situation to past late-night show transitions, where a drop in viewership led to concerns, Colbert’s recent ratings averaged 2.4 million viewers in the last quarter. This shift in viewership trends has been attributed to the increasing popularity of streaming platforms and online content consumption.
Over the years, Colbert, along with Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel, has provided a unique perspective on Canada through his show’s evolving content. The coverage ranged from light-hearted jokes about Canadian culture to more satirical commentary as the U.S.-Canada relationship underwent changes.
Colbert’s connection to Canada dates back to his earlier show, The Colbert Report, where he was celebrated with “Stephen Colbert Day” in Oshawa, Ont., in 2007. His transition to The Late Show in 2015 coincided with the intense U.S. presidential campaign cycle, during which he humorously highlighted political mishaps, including a campaign ad faux pas by Marco Rubio featuring Canadian imagery.
Throughout Trump’s presidency, Colbert used his platform to provide comedic relief and commentary on the political climate, including interactions with Canadian figures like Justin Trudeau. As the show adapted to global and cultural changes, Colbert’s segments on Canadian cannabis laws and political events resonated with viewers.
In 2024, amidst a contentious political atmosphere, Trudeau’s visit to the show marked a shift in tone as he discussed policy issues and his bid for re-election. The interview touched on Trudeau’s stance on key issues and his electoral prospects, showcasing a mix of light-hearted banter and serious political discourse.
Despite facing criticism and political challenges, Trudeau’s appearance on The Late Show highlighted the intersection of humor and political commentary, reflecting the ongoing dynamics between the U.S. and Canada on the late-night television stage.