This is a very interesting story, and one that just did fatal damage to the Left's narrative surrounding the ouster of 'Late Show' host Stephen Colbert.
It turns out word of the cancellation came down in June, before the Paramount/CBS settlement was announced and almost a month before Colbert was made aware.
Hollywood's self-described 'insider newsletter' The Ankler has the scoop:
On June 27, just a few days before Paramount would announce its $16 million 60 Minutes settlement with President Trump, James Dixon received a call from CBS executives informing the prominent talent manager that the network was walking away from his client Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show. Dixon knew the news more than two weeks before his client, I’ve learned.
The franchise, which started in 1993 with David Letterman behind the desk, will soon go the way of other late-night offerings including CBS’ own After Midnight and The Late Late Show With James Corden as well as NBC’s Last Call With Carson Daly and its replacement, A Little Late With Lilly Singh. The genre’s footprint continues shrink amid a depressed ad market that saw the losses on Colbert’s show, which is No. 1 in late night with an average of 2.4 million viewers, grow to around $40 million last year. (Late Show costs $100 million annually to produce, per a source.)
Colbert, though, would not learn the news of his show’s demise until he returned from vacation. It was after Colbert taped the Wednesday, July 16 episode, I’m told, that Dixon informed him of CBS’ decision. The following day, Colbert stunned the TV industry and announced the cancellation at the top of the show.
Wonder if all the hysterical pearl-clutchers will apologize and calm down?
Probably not.
Almost.
Always a hoaxer.
But let's just assume Colbert didn't know until July 16. That's almost irrelevant.
The news predated the settlement and predated Colbert's attacks on Paramount/CBS during his monologue.
It's really fascinating.
Oof indeed.
Despite that, Kimmel was behind Colbert in the ratings and they were both beaten by Greg Gutfeld.
And he's on cable.
It's possible studio execs knew the settlement was coming. But remember: Colbert's contract was up in 2026 anyway.
Paramount/CBS chose not to extend it.
And Colbert remains on the air until May.
Very much a chef's kiss.
The Left, once again, is outraged over nothing.
Which is why this story was only revealed by The Ankler.
Not a thing to do with Trump.
But the Left will never let facts get in the way of a good narrative.
It's kinda funny when you put it that way.
We wonder how much the show will lose before it ends in May.
Editor's Note: The mainstream media continues to deflect, gaslight, spin, and lie about President Trump, his administration, and conservatives.
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