In a move that has raised more than a few eyebrows, Colbert’s long-running show was pulled without warning just days after the host ripped into his network’s parent company, Paramount, for paying what he described as a “big fat bribe” to the Trump administration in a legal settlement.

CBS announced on Thursday that 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' would end in 2026, but the timing, coincidental or not, comes as Paramount tries to sell itself to Skydance.

CBS could not figure out a path to profitability in an entertainment world increasingly dominated by streaming.

Comedian Stephen Colbert hosted the satirical ‘The Colbert Report’ before taking over ‘The Late Show’ in 2015. Read about his shows, wife, net worth, and more.

Colbert’s cancellation came days after he mocked Paramount, which owns CBS, for its $16 million settlement with Trump in a lawsuit many considered meritless. That settlement comes as Paramount attempts a merger with Skydance Media, which requires FCC approval to proceed.

Stephen Colbert took viewers by surprise this week when he announced The Late Show would be heading for the big TV schedule in the sky. The long-running series, which he has hosted since 2015, will leave screens next May.

The Writers Guild of America East and West called on New York Attorney General Letitia James to launch an investigation Friday into why CBS canceled “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” accusing the network’s parent company of offering a “bribe” to the Trump administration.

"The Late Show" will end next May, marking the end of an era, CBS announced. The show has been a late-night staple since 1993. It was hosted by David Letterman until Stephen Colbert took over in 2015.