David Letterman Returns to Late Show, Blasts Cancellation

David Letterman made a final appearance on the show he created 33 years ago.

On Thursday, May 14, the 79-year-old Letterman bid adieu to The Late Show, joining the current host, Stephen Colbert, to reflect on past memories. Letterman introduced The Late Show in 1993 and stepped down in 2015, allowing Colbert, now 62, to take the reins.

“I have every right to be pissed off, so I’ll be pissed off here a little bit. You folks wouldn’t be in this theater if it weren’t for me, and Stephen wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me,” Letterman commented on his return to the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. “We rebuilt this theater, and then Stephen came in, and look at this. It’s like the Bellagio [hotel]. You can take a man’s show, but you can’t a man’s voice.”

Letterman also humorously referenced fellow late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel.

“You know what I’m really worried about? What will become of the Jimmys? Are they going to be all right?” he asked.

Later in the episode, Letterman and Colbert headed to the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater to engage in a bit of mischief, destroying CBS property as The Late Show approached its final week on air.

“I thought maybe tonight’s occasion would be a little sad, being the end of your run here, but this brings true joy to my heart. We are up here for the wanton destruction of CBS property,” Letterman remarked before he and Colbert tossed Colbert’s desk chair and the guest sofa chairs from the rooftop.

Colbert then quipped that CBS had sent them a cake with the inscription “The Late Show 1993-2026,” which they also hurled to the ground below.

CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show in July 2025. Colbert’s final episode is set to air on Thursday, May 21.

“The Late Show With Stephen Colbert will conclude its remarkable run in May 2026 at the close of the broadcast season. We regard Stephen Colbert as irreplaceable and will retire the Late Show brand at that time,” CBS stated in a release. “We are honored that Stephen was part of the CBS family. He and the broadcast will be remembered among the greats in late-night television history.”

CBS clarified that the decision was purely “financial” and not “linked to the show’s performance, content or other developments at Paramount.” (CBS’ parent company, Paramount, was acquired by Skydance Media in August 2025.)

In an early May interview with The New York Times, Letterman contested the financial rationale behind the cancellation.

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“He was dumped because the people selling the network to Skydance said, ‘Oh no, there’s not going to be any trouble with that guy. We’re going to take care of the show. We’re just going to throw that into the deal. When will the ink on the check dry,’” Letterman asserted.

He further stated, “I’m just going to go on record as saying: They’re lying. Let me just add one other thing. … They’re lying weasels.”

For its part, CBS told the Times that the show’s cancellation was “unequivocally a financial decision.”