David Letterman offers alternative explanation for Stephen Colbert's axing
Late-night legend David Letterman has launched a withering attack on CBS.
David Letterman has accused CBS of lying about the cancellation of The Late Show.
The broadcaster previously announced that it was scrapping The Late Show, the long-running late-night TV talk show hosted by Stephen Colbert, due to financial concerns, but Letterman has now questioned CBS' reasoning.
Letterman, 79 - who hosted Late Night with David Letterman for more than a decade - told The New York Times newspaper: "They don't share the books with me. All of television seems to have been nicked by digital communication and streaming platforms and on and on. TV may be not the money machine it once was.
"On the other hand, what about the humanity for Stephen and the humanity of people who love him and the humanity for people who still enjoyed that 11:30 respite?"
Letterman argued that Colbert, 61, was "dumped" because of the network's merger with entertainment company Skydance.
The TV star said: "He was dumped because the people selling the network to Skydance said, 'Oh no, there's not going to be any trouble with that guy. We're going to take care of the show. We're just going to throw that into the deal. When will the ink on the cheque dry.'"
The former Late Show host subsequently made his feelings about CBS and Skydance crystal clear.
He said: "I'm just going to go on record as saying: They're lying. Let me just add one other thing, Jason. They're lying weasels."
Stephen announced the axing of The Late Show in July 2025.
The comedian confirmed that CBS had pulled the plug on his nightly talk show, with the final episode set to air in May.
He said: "Before we start the show, I want to let you know something that I found out just last night. Next year will be our last season, the network will be ending The Late Show in May."
Stephen - who replaced Letterman at the helm in 2015 - added: "I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away. I do want to say that the folks at CBS have been great partners … And I’m grateful to the audience, you, who have joined us every night, in here, out there, and all around the world."
