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David Letterman called CBS’s handling of Stephen Colbert’s departure from The Late Show “gutless,” arguing that the network had not treated Colbert as the face of CBS deserved. Letterman also questioned whether finances fully explained the decision and suggested political or corporate pressure could be involved. Those were Letterman’s opinions, not established findings about CBS’s internal deliberations. CBS said the decision was financial.
What did David Letterman say about CBS?
In a video conversation published July 25, 2025, Letterman spoke with Barbara Gaines, a former executive producer of The Late Show, about CBS’s plan to end Colbert’s version of the program after the 2025–26 season. Letterman condemned the way the network handled the announcement and said those responsible would eventually be embarrassed: “This is gutless.” TheWrap reported his remarks and linked to the video.
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He also said CBS had not handled Colbert as “the face of that network” deserved, calling the decision “pure cowardice.” His criticism was about the network’s treatment of Colbert and its explanation for the move—not an announcement that Letterman knew CBS’s private reasoning.
Why did Letterman doubt CBS’s explanation?
Letterman questioned whether the financial losses CBS cited had suddenly become decisive, and said he did not think money was the real reason. Those comments express his skepticism; they do not establish the show’s financial performance or provide an audited account of CBS’s costs and revenue.
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CBS, by contrast, described the cancellation as a financial decision. In a statement reported by The Independent, the network said it was “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.” That report also gives the network’s stated position.
| Position | What was said | What it establishes |
|---|---|---|
| CBS | The decision was financial and unrelated to the show’s performance, content, or other matters at Paramount, according to the network’s statement as reported by The Independent. | CBS’s stated rationale—not independently verified internal deliberations. |
| Letterman | He doubted that money fully explained the timing and called CBS’s handling “gutless.” | Letterman’s interpretation—not proof of CBS’s motive or finances. |
Did Letterman say the cancellation was politically motivated?
Letterman speculated that politics and corporate appeasement may have influenced the decision. The context included the controversy over Paramount’s reported $16 million settlement with Donald Trump in 2025 over a lawsuit involving a 60 Minutes interview. The Guardian reported on the settlement and Colbert’s response.
The settlement helps explain the backdrop to Letterman’s suspicion, but the available reporting does not establish a causal link between it and the cancellation. CBS said the decision was financial; Letterman challenged that account. Neither the settlement nor his comments independently prove what motivated the network.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When was Letterman’s Late Show tenure?
Letterman hosted The Late Show on CBS from 1993 to 2015. Colbert succeeded him in 2015. CBS announced in July 2025 that Colbert’s program would end after the 2025–26 season. The announcement concerned the Colbert-hosted program, not a new cancellation of Letterman’s former tenure. LateNighter’s contemporaneous coverage outlines the hosting history and Letterman’s comments.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Letterman renewed his criticism in May 2026, calling CBS representatives “lying weasels” while again disputing the network’s financial explanation. CBS continued to characterize the cancellation as financial, according to LateNighter’s follow-up report. Those later remarks likewise document Letterman’s view, rather than verifying the network’s internal motive.
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