David Letterman Criticizes CBS After Stephen Colbert Late Show Cancellation

CBS has announced the cancellation of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," which will end in May 2026 due to financial reasons, sparking widespread criticism and support for Colbert from fellow late-night hosts. David Letterman, who hosted the show before Colbert, expressed his disapproval through a YouTube montage of past clips mocking CBS, captioned "You can't spell CBS without BS," interpreted as a pointed rebuke of the network's decision. Colbert revealed the cancellation during a July 17 episode, acknowledging the disappointment of fans and clarifying that the show would not be replaced but simply discontinued. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from liberal comedians like Jon Stewart, who openly condemned CBS and its parent company Paramount, accusing them of prioritizing financial and political interests, especially following Colbert's public criticism of a settlement between Paramount and President Donald Trump. Trump, in turn, celebrated Colbert's cancellation, further intensifying the political dimension surrounding the show's end. CBS maintains that the cancellation is purely financial and unrelated to the show's content or performance, but speculation persists about political influence given ongoing regulatory considerations involving Paramount's mergers.