NOT JUST THE END OF A SHOW — Stephen Colbert’s Counterattack Promises to Expose CBS Secrets

On July 17, 2025, CBS dropped a bombshell, announcing the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the top-rated late-night program on broadcast television, set to conclude in May 2026. The network claimed financial losses of $40-$50 million annually, but the timing—just days after Colbert’s sharp critique of Paramount Global’s $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump—sparked accusations of political censorship. Now, Stephen Colbert is fighting back, vowing to “show it all” with a counterattack that could unveil behind-the-scenes secrets and shake the foundations of the American media world. As Monday, August 4, 2025, approaches, all eyes are on Colbert’s promise to expose CBS’s motives and reveal truths that could redefine late-night television.

Stephen Colbert, 61, has been a late-night juggernaut since succeeding David Letterman on The Late Show in 2015. Averaging 2.5 million viewers in the 2024-2025 season, the show surpassed competitors like Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Colbert’s razor-sharp satire, particularly his relentless jabs at Trump, made him a cultural force, earning 10 Emmys and a loyal fanbase. His July 17 monologue, where he called Paramount’s settlement a “big fat bribe” tied to its $8 billion Skydance Media merger, drew 3.079 million viewers, the year’s highest. The cancellation announcement, met with audience boos, fueled speculation that CBS, under Paramount’s umbrella, is bowing to political pressure to secure merger approval from the Trump administration.

Colbert’s response has been defiant. On July 21, he hosted a star-studded episode featuring a “Coldplay cam” parody with guests like Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Jon Stewart, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, mocking the merger with a cartoon Trump embracing a Paramount logo. Off-air, Colbert took to X, posting, “They can cancel the show, but they can’t cancel the truth. I’m not done yet.” Insiders report he’s planning a Monday special to “show it all,” promising to reveal internal CBS communications, executive decisions, and alleged pressures tied to the Trump settlement. “This isn’t just about me,” Colbert told Variety. “It’s about what happens when media giants think they can gag voices to save a buck or curry favor.”

The stakes are high. CBS’s claim of financial losses aligns with industry trends—late-night shows are expensive, with The Late Show’s 200-person staff and elaborate production driving costs. Yet, it captured 29% of 2024 late-night ad revenue, second only to Fallon’s 33%. The decision to end the entire franchise, rather than replace Colbert, has raised eyebrows, especially after CBS canceled After Midnight in 2025. Critics, including Democratic senators like Elizabeth Warren, argue the move reflects corporate cowardice, with Paramount sacrificing Colbert to appease Trump, who celebrated the cancellation on Truth Social, writing, “Colbert’s out! Good riddance to bad comedy.”

Colbert’s counterattack has galvanized allies. Jimmy Kimmel, on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, called CBS “spineless,” vowing to join Colbert’s Monday push. Jimmy Fallon, on The Tonight Show, praised Colbert’s “fearless” comedy, hinting at a coordinated response. John Oliver, on Last Week Tonight, warned that silencing satirists threatens free speech, promising to “amplify” Colbert’s revelations. Jon Stewart, Colbert’s mentor from their Daily Show days, delivered a blistering critique on July 22, accusing CBS of “bending the knee” to corporate and political interests. “If you think you can neuter comedy to save your merger, you’re not just wrong—you’re boring,” Stewart said, rallying viewers to tune in Monday.

Speculation about Colbert’s revelations is rampant on X, where #ColbertCounterattack trends. Users predict he’ll leak emails or memos exposing CBS’s dealings with Paramount or Trump’s team. One post read, “Colbert’s about to drop a media bombshell. CBS won’t know what hit them.” Another speculated he might reveal pressure from advertisers or government figures, given his history of tackling powerful entities, like his 2010 testimony before Congress on immigration. Skeptics, however, caution that past claims of late-night scandals, like a debunked 2025 story about a $800 million View lawsuit, suggest hype can outpace substance.

The broader context fuels the drama. Late-night television faces declining viewership, with Colbert’s 1.9 million nightly average skewing older. Yet, his digital reach—10 million YouTube views for his post-cancellation monologue—shows the genre’s evolving power. The 1960s cancellation of the Smothers Brothers by CBS for their anti-war stance looms as a historical parallel, with Bill Carter, a late-night historian, warning, “This could chill comedy for years.” Paramount’s merger, requiring FCC approval, adds complexity, as Trump’s influence over regulatory decisions is well-documented, including his 2024 push to revoke broadcast licenses.

Colbert’s Monday special, expected to air on CBS unless blocked, could include guest appearances from allies like Stewart or Kimmel, a tell-all monologue, or even whistleblower testimony. Insiders hint at footage from The Late Show’s archives, showing cut segments or executive interventions. Legal experts suggest Colbert risks a breach-of-contract suit but note his $15 million annual salary and public support give him leverage. “He’s playing a high-stakes game,” said media law professor Sarah Klein. “If he has receipts, CBS could face a PR disaster.”

Fans are buzzing with anticipation. On X, one user wrote, “Colbert’s about to burn it all down. Monday’s gonna rewrite TV history.” Another called it “the end of corporate control over comedy.” The fightback taps into a cultural moment, with distrust in media at an all-time high. A 2025 Gallup poll showed 60% of Americans believe networks prioritize profit over truth. Colbert’s stand—backed by Fallon, Kimmel, and Oliver—could galvanize younger audiences on platforms like YouTube, where clips thrive.

As Monday looms, the American media world braces for impact. Colbert’s promise to “show it all” isn’t just about saving his show; it’s a challenge to an industry accused of silencing dissent. Whether he exposes damning documents or simply delivers a defiant farewell, the counterattack will test the limits of free speech in a polarized era. With his allies by his side, Colbert is poised to make history, proving that even when the stage goes dark, the truth can still take center stage.