"David Letterman's Music Director, Paul Shaffer, Speaks Out on Stephen Colbert's Termination and the Shifting Landscape of Late-Night Television"
In a surprising turn of events, the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's The Late Show has sent shockwaves throughout the entertainment industry. The iconic late-night programme, which has been a staple on American television since 2015, will come to an end in May 2026.
The decision has sparked a flurry of reactions from industry veterans, including Paul Shaffer, who oversaw the music during David Letterman's tenure on Late Night (1983-1992) and The Late Show (1992-2015). Shaffer, who is currently promoting his new documentary, You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution..., expressed disbelief about the cancellation but did not delve too deeply into the future of late-night offerings.
David Letterman himself, via his YouTube channel, was critical of the cancellation, calling it "pure cowardice." One of Letterman's former producers, Rob Burnett, also weighed in, acknowledging the financial aspects of the matter but questioning how the network could "dismiss a talent like" Colbert in such a manner.
Seth Meyers, another prominent figure in late-night TV, is also concerned about the longevity of the format. Jimmy Kimmel shares this sentiment, thinking that late-night TV may not last another decade.
However, not everyone sees the cancellation as a negative development. Some pundits and celebrities believe that money was not the only factor in the decision. Paramount Global, CBS' parent company, attributed the cancellation to financial variables.
Despite the uncertainty, Paul Shaffer and other industry veterans remain optimistic. They argue that while the means of reaching audiences may change, the talent itself can find other ways to connect with the general public. The end of The Late Show is indeed a significant event, and it's interesting to consider what other insights these veterans might have about the changes in late-night TV.
Interestingly, around the time that the cancellation of The Late Show was announced, Paramount settled a $16 million lawsuit with U.S. President Donald Trump. This settlement was viewed as the final piece of business to be settled before Paramount's merger with Skydance would become FCC-approved.
As we move forward, it will be fascinating to see how the TV business continues to shift, particularly in the realm of late-night TV. One thing is certain: the future of late-night talk shows is uncertain, but some industry veterans, including Conan O'Brien, remain hopeful.
