Conan praises Colbert as late night faces shift

Conan O'Brien praises Stephen Colbert as The Late Show ends amid questions about the economics of late night television.

Conan Supports Colbert as Late Night Faces Economic Shift

Conan O'Brien, at his Hall of Fame induction, described Stephen Colbert as "too talented and too essential" and suggested that while late night as it has been since the 1950s may fade, the voices behind it will endure.

The article notes CBS and Paramount have cancelled The Late Show, a decision framed by executives as a response to ongoing economic pressures in late night television. George Cheeks, chairman of CBS Television, said the economics made continuing challenging, while Jeff Shell, leading Paramount after its Skydance takeover, argued that late night no longer adds up financially. Colbert has begun looking for new opportunities ahead of his May 2026 departure, joking on air about potential offers from Netflix and Amazon.

The episode highlights a broader shift in media toward cost conscious production and platform diversification. Traditional late night may be waning as a fixed nightly slot, but the demand for sharp hosting and political conversation endures across streaming and digital channels. The industry response shows a tension between preserving beloved formats and pursuing more flexible, scalable models. In this climate, talent and voice remain the real currency, not the time slot.

Highlights

The landscape may shift, but the conversation continues.