What To Know
- David Letterman appeared on The Late Show to join Stephen Colbert in a comedic act of “revenge” against CBS.
- Letterman criticized CBS for canceling the show, saying he has a right to be “pissed off.”
- The Late Show will air its final episode on May 21, with other major late-night shows going dark in solidarity that night.
As The Late Show prepares to say its final farewell next week, its former host and originator, David Letterman, appeared on Thursday’s (May 14) episode to help Stephen Colbert get some revenge on CBS.
“You know what happened backstage? A guy came over, he says he’s from CBS, and he fires me. What is going on over there?!” the legendary talk show host said as he joined Colbert on set.
Letterman, who hosted The Late Show from 1993 until 2015, said he had “every right to be pissed off” with CBS for canceling the show. “This theater, 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, and we rebuilt this theater, and then Stephen came in, and look at this? It’s like the Bellagio.”
“But, listen,” he continued. “As we all understand, you can take a man’s show, you can’t take a man’s voice. That’s the good news.”
CBS previously cited financial reasons for canceling The Late Show, claiming the show loses $40 million annually. At the time, some critics argued the axing was politically motivated, with parent company Paramount hoping to appease Trump amid its merger with Skydance, which required government approval.
During the interview, Letterman expressed concern for the future of late-night. “You know what I’m really worried about? What I’m really worried about is what will become of the Jimmys. Are they going to be all right?” he said, referring to Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon.
Colbert assured his late-night peers will be all right, quipping, “We’ve got a plan to put them in a captive breeding program.”
Letterman then asked who owns the furniture on set, to which Colbert said everything belongs to CBS and Paramount. “Are they affiliated with Skydance?” Letterman added. After Colbert confirmed that to be true, Letterman said, “It’d be a shame if something happened to it.”
The two hosts later climbed to the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater, where they engaged in “wanton destruction of CBS property.” With the help of stagehands, the pair tossed the show’s couches and Colbert’s desk chair off the roof and onto a giant CBS logo below. And just for fun, they also hurled some watermelons and a cake provided by CBS.
In his parting message, Letterman said, “In the words of the great Ed Murrow, good night and good luck, motherf******!”
The Late Show will air its final ever episode next Thursday (May 21). In solidarity, fellow late-night shows, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, will go dark that night.
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Weeknights, 11:35/10:35c, CBS