Samantha Bee: Canceling Colbert Was a 'No Brainer' for CBS

The Decline of Traditional Late-Night TV

Samantha Bee has expressed her skepticism about the reasons behind Paramount's decision to end The Late Show. She suggested that the network’s move was not primarily influenced by Donald Trump, but rather by financial concerns. According to Bee, Stephen Colbert’s show was "hemorrhaging money" and the timing of the decision made it an easy choice for the company.

On the Breaking Bread with Tom Papa podcast, Bee explained that legacy shows like The Late Show are struggling financially and have seen a significant drop in viewership. She noted that people are increasingly turning to their phones for news and information, reducing the need for traditional late-night recaps. "People are very well-versed in what has happened," she said, highlighting the changing media landscape.

Bee also pointed out that audiences would rather watch reality-based content, such as South Korean game shows, than tune into late-night talk shows. This shift in viewer preferences is contributing to the decline of traditional formats.

The Impact of Mergers on Television

Bee’s own late-night program, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, was canceled before its eighth season in 2022. This occurred when TBS was merged into Warner Bros. Discovery. At the time, TBS described the decision as a "difficult, business-based decision." Similarly, CBS stated that ending The Late Show was a "purely financial decision."

Despite this, the timing of the announcement sparked controversy. CBS made the decision just days after Colbert criticized the network’s parent company over a $10 million settlement with Trump. The move came shortly before the company finalized an $8 billion merger with Skydance, which required approval from Trump’s administration.

Reports later revealed that The Late Show was costing CBS around $40 million annually. This financial burden likely played a significant role in the decision, though some questioned whether political considerations were involved.

Political Reactions and Public Outcry

Democratic lawmakers, including Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Adam Schiff, called for an investigation into whether the decision to cancel The Late Show was influenced by the desire to gain favor with Trump. Trump himself celebrated the cancellation on social media, and later expressed hope that he could help remove more of his critics from the airwaves.

Bee acknowledged that while the decision may have been politically motivated, it was also a reflection of broader trends in television. She argued that the traditional late-night format has been declining for years, and Trump’s reaction simply made the move a win-win for Paramount.

"I think both things are true," Bee said. "Probably the most agonizing decisions they were having were about, 'How do we float this? Like, 'How do we not get a lot of blowback?' I’m sure they knew it was happening a long time ago."

The Human Cost of Cancellations

Even though Bee believed the end of The Late Show was inevitable, she still found the news "awful." She expressed her personal connection to Colbert, whom she worked with on The Daily Show. "I love Stephen. I consider him to be a friend," she said. "I think he’s amazing."

Bee also highlighted the impact on the show’s staff. With 200 employees, the cancellation meant many people lost their jobs. "You can’t take all those people with you to your next adventure," she noted. "It’s really, really awful."

The shifting landscape of television continues to affect long-standing programs and the people who work on them. As networks adapt to new viewing habits and financial pressures, the future of traditional late-night programming remains uncertain.