Source: Fortune.com
Summary
Stephen Colbert bid farewell to his 11-year run on CBS’s “The Late Show” with a star-studded finale featuring Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, and other celebrities. The final show included musical performances, comedy sketches, and a surprise appearance by David Letterman. Colbert acknowledged the show’s end, citing “economic reasons” and a settlement between CBS’s parent company Paramount and former President Donald Trump. The finale also included a nod to the show’s history, with Colbert and his team reflecting on their time on the air.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story. CBS cancels “The Late Show” after 11 seasons, citing economic reasons, but Colbert’s ratings were strong. The finale featured a surprise appearance by David Letterman, who joined Colbert on the roof to hurl furniture from the set. The show’s end was marked by technical snafus, including stray sounds and glitches. Colbert’s goodbye was ambitious, featuring multiple musical performances and comedy sketches. The finale also included a nod to the show’s history, with Colbert and his team reflecting on their time on the air.
Colbert’s show ends, but the questions linger: Was the cancellation really just about economics, or was Trump’s repeated criticism a factor? The answer may never be known, but one thing is certain: Colbert’s satirical voice will be missed.
Author: Evan Null
