Stephen Colbert Experiences ‘Relief’ as The Late Show Comes to a Close

Stephen Colbert is sharing insights about his upcoming journey following the cancellation of his late-night show on CBS.

In a recent interview with GQ, conducted right before The Late Show With Stephen Colbert had a strong showing at the 2025 Emmy Awards, Colbert, 61, expressed that he has “accepted” the network’s choice to end his program.

“Every show has to conclude at some point,” Colbert remarked to GQ. “I’ve been part of several shows that ended, whether it was our decision or someone else’s. That’s simply how show business operates. You can’t dwell on it. You’ve got to be a grownup about it. But I think we’re the first top-rated show ever to get canceled.”

When the interviewer commented on how long Colbert has been “connecting [his] mouth to the exhaust pipe of news,” he humorously replied, “That sounds vaguely suicidal.”

Colbert continued, “‘You’ve been running your car in the closed garage of media for 20 years, are you feeling a little dizzy?’ Yeah, I’m feeling a little dizzy. Truthfully, George Cheeks [then co-CEO of Paramount and President and CEO of CBS] may have saved my life. I might get some oxygen back into my brain.”

Despite the humor, Colbert emphasized his passion for the job. “I love what we do and I enjoy the hustle,” he said. “You can only keep doing one of these shows with nightly jokes, year after year for 20 years, if you genuinely care about the subject matter. And I do. However, there is a sense of relief knowing I might not have to don the snorkel and wade into the sewer every day.”

In July, it was announced that The Late Show With Stephen Colbert would conclude in May 2026. “This isn’t just the end of our show, but it’s the finale of The Late Show on CBS. I won’t be replaced,” Colbert said during a live taping. “This all is coming to an end. I want to express my gratitude to the amazing folks at CBS … And to the audience, you, who have been with us every night, in here, out there, and around the globe.”

CBS commented at the time that the decision was strictly “financial” and not “related in any way to the show’s performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount,” adding, “We take pride in having Stephen as part of the CBS family.”

While chatting with GQ, Colbert insisted he’s enjoyed a “positive relationship” with the network since his version of The Late Show began in 2015.

“That’s why this was so unexpected and shocking, with no prior notice,” he elaborated. “We work on budgets and everything. We’ve made cuts before. So, as I mentioned, it caught me off guard, and I meant what I said [on air] the next night after I learned about it. They’ve been wonderful partners, truly supportive.”

Colbert reiterated that he maintains a “professional” stance despite public perceptions surrounding the circumstances of the cancellation. (Days before the news broke, Colbert had criticized Paramount, CBS’ parent company, for settling a $16 million deal with President Donald Trump.)

“However, my side is clean, and I’m not interested in sweeping up or contributing to the mess on the other side. That’s not my concern,” he stated. “People can have their theories. I have my feelings about the end of the show, but you’d need to show me why engaging in that speculation would be beneficial for the relationship I have with my network over the coming nine months.”

While feeling relieved about stepping away from the headlines, Colbert mentioned he’ll “miss the chance to go out and make jokes” about current events. “I will miss every part of my job aside from wearing makeup,” he joked.

Regarding his future, Colbert believes he won’t completely step away from show business but indicated he won’t feel lost without late-night television.

“I know who I am outside of this,” he shared with the outlet. “I didn’t enter this field until I was 41. I landed The Colbert Report at that age. I was quite late to start one of these jobs. By the time I took this position, I was 51. That’s considered late for someone in this role — though not exceedingly old, you know what I mean. I was already married with children before I became known as Stephen Colbert. My identity is tied to that, along with the family I was raised in and my faith.”