David Letterman delivered a scathing response to CBS’s decision to cancel “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” using his YouTube channel to post a 20-minute compilation of clips showing him mocking the network throughout his tenure as host. The video, posted on July 22, carried the pointed caption: “You can’t spell CBS without BS.”
The compilation featured clips from Letterman’s episodes spanning nearly two decades, from 1994 to 2013, during his 22-year run hosting “The Late Show” from 1993 to 2015. The timing of the video’s release came just four days after CBS announced the cancellation of Colbert’s iteration of the show, which had run for 10 years since September 2015.
Among the clips included in the supercut was a 2007 segment where Letterman criticized CBS for mentioning “The Late Show” in only a single line of its half-page network advertisement in USA Today. Another featured moment showed Letterman mocking the network for mistakenly including a photo of NBC’s Jay Leno instead of Letterman in online advertisements for People’s Choice Award nominees.
Letterman later provided more direct commentary in a YouTube video conversation with his former executive producers Barbara Gaines and Mary Barclay on July 26. During this discussion, he called the cancellation decision “pure cowardice” and expressed skepticism about CBS’s stated financial reasoning for ending the show. The network had cited losses between $40 million and $50 million annually as justification for the cancellation.
The 78-year-old comedian disputed the financial explanation, noting that CBS was giving Colbert another 10 months to continue the show, which would represent additional significant losses if the network’s claims were accurate. He questioned why CBS News, which he suggested was not a profit center, remained in operation while “The Late Show” faced cancellation.
Letterman praised Colbert’s decade-long tenure, describing him as having established himself as a precise political satirist who became the face of the network. He noted that Colbert had drawn significant audiences through his regular criticism of the current administration and political commentary over his 10-year run.
The cancellation announcement came just days after Colbert had sharply criticized Paramount‘s $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump over a “60 Minutes” interview. Colbert had referred to the settlement as a “big fat bribe,” leading to speculation about political motivations behind the show’s cancellation.
The timing coincided with CBS-Paramount Holdings finalizing its sale to Skydance Media for $8.4 billion on July 24. Industry observers questioned whether the merger approval process influenced the network’s decision to end a show known for its sharp political commentary.
Colbert addressed the cancellation during his July 17 taping at the Ed Sullivan Theater, informing his audience that the network would be ending not just his show but the entire “Late Show” franchise in May 2026. He emphasized that he would not be replaced and that the format was being discontinued entirely.
The cancellation prompted widespread support from comedy industry figures. Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, John Oliver, Jon Stewart, Adam Sandler, and other prominent comedians spoke out in defense of Colbert. Jimmy Kimmel expressed his displeasure with CBS on Instagram, while Stewart questioned whether the decision was purely financial or influenced by political considerations related to the Skydance merger.
Letterman expressed regret that the cancellation had not occurred during his own tenure, stating he now had to acknowledge Colbert’s status as a martyr of the network’s decision. He characterized the executives responsible for the cancellation as individuals who would eventually face embarrassment for what he termed a gutless decision.
The controversy highlighted broader questions about corporate influence on television programming, particularly regarding shows that engage in political commentary. CBS maintained that the decision was strictly financial, citing challenging conditions in the late-night television market and declining advertising revenue as audiences increasingly turn to streaming platforms.