ALBAWABA - David Letterman slams CBS over Stephen Colbert's firing and Trump settlement.
Comedy legend David Letterman joined other late-night shows in criticizing CBS News for ending "The Late Show" after more than 30 years, while calling host Stephen Colbert a "martyr."
It was Letterman, the first host of the show, who said that the choice to cancel it was "gutless." He was referring to the recent $16 million settlement between CBS's parent company, Paramount Global, and the Trump administration and the company's planned merger with entertainment giant Skydance.
US TV host David Letterman (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP)
He talked with his old "Late Show" producers Barbara Gaines and Mary Barclay in a recorded conversation. "I think one day, if not today, the people at CBS who have manipulated and handled this are going to be embarrassed because this is gutless," he said. "I wish this would happen to me." I really wish this had worked out for me.
Paramount said the decision was "purely a financial decision" and had nothing to do with how well the show did or what it was about. Letterman, along with other press supporters and some Democrats, didn't seem happy with that answer.
"The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" (Photo by John Nacion / Getty Images via AFP)
The former host of "Late Night" instead blamed what he called the "Oracle twins." He was talking about billionaire Larry Ellison and his son David Ellison, who will lead the "New Paramount" now that the Federal Communications Commission has approved Skydance's purchase of the company. The union ought to be finished by August 7.
"These thugs are not fair at all," Letterman said, adding, "These guys are bottom feeders." Indeed, that's what it is.
"Of course, they know that broadcast TV is dying, so now they want to make sure they're not buying something that's worth less tonight than it was 30 years ago." Continuing, he said, "They don't want to deal with the US government." "So they want CBS to clean up that mess."
The comedian also called CBS's choice to settle with Trump after he sued them over an interview with Harris while he was running for president in 2024 "pure cowardice."
Big names in late-night TV, like Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart, and Seth Meyers, have spoken out in support of Colbert, who has been vocal about his worries about Paramount's recent choices. It was the same with Letterman.
"This is great, Stephen. He's a hero. "That's good for him, right?" he asked his old bosses.
Afterward, he joked, "Now we all have to kiss Stephen Colbert's ring." "And if you pay close attention, you can hear them setting up chairs at the Hall of Fame for his induction, right?"
It's been back and forth between Colbert and Trump since he took over for Letterman in 2015.
"I love it so much that Colbert was fired." In a post on Truth Social earlier this week, the president said, "His talent was even less than his ratings." This was after the company said it would end the show in May 2026.
The funny man said, "How dare you, sir." Would a man who isn't very good at writing be able to come up with the mocking witticism "Go f‑‑ yourself"?
