In a recent interview posted on his YouTube channel, David Letterman expressed his frustration with CBS and Skydance for cancelling “The Late Show” after 32 years. Letterman criticized the network for mistreating his successor, Stephen Colbert, and questioned the official explanation that the show was cancelled for financial reasons. He called the decision “pure cowardice” and accused CBS of not handling Colbert, the face of the network, appropriately.
During a Zoom interview with Barbara Gaines, the former executive producer of “The Late Show,” Letterman also commented on Paramount’s $16 million settlement with President Trump over a “60 Minutes” interview. He criticized the company for disregarding freedom of the press and mocked Skydance Media, the new owner of Paramount, referring to founder David Ellison as “the Oracle twins” and questioning their commitment to free speech.
Letterman imagined a conversation between the “Ellison twins” and CBS, suggesting that the new owners wanted Colbert removed to avoid conflicts with the Trump administration. He speculated that CBS decided to cancel the entire franchise to appease the new owners and prevent any potential backlash.
While reports indicated that “The Late Show” was losing millions of dollars annually, Letterman dismissed this as an excuse, questioning whether the losses were a recent development or had been ongoing for some time. As a former late-night host known for his confrontations with network executives, Letterman expressed confidence in Colbert’s future and jokingly referred to him as a “martyr” destined for induction into the Hall of Fame.
Overall, Letterman’s comments shed light on the behind-the-scenes politics and decisions that led to the cancellation of “The Late Show,” highlighting the complexities of network television and the challenges faced by hosts like Colbert in today’s media landscape.
