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CBS, Colbert, the Late Show - maybe it IS about financial reasons [1]
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Date: 2025-07-18
CBS announced that it will be ending The Late Show, claiming it is purely for financial reasons.
My understanding is that the show enjoys top ratings under Stephen Colbert and critical acclaim — along with featuring satirical political commentary at a time when CBS is seeking approval for big deals from a notoriously thin-skinned Trump administration. Is this a quid pro quo?
In case anyone was wondering about what matters at CBS, this 2016 article in the Hollywood Reporter might offer a clue.
Les Moonves
Leslie Moonves can appreciate a Donald Trump candidacy. Not that the CBS executive chairman and CEO might vote for the Republican presidential frontrunner, but he likes the ad money Trump and his competitors are bringing to the network. “It may not be good for America, but it’s damn good for CBS,” he said of the presidential race. Moonves called the campaign for president a “circus” full of “bomb throwing,” and he hopes it continues. “Most of the ads are not about issues. They’re sort of like the debates,” he said. “Man, who would have expected the ride we’re all having right now? … The money’s rolling in and this is fun,” he said.
emphasis added
Still laughing, Les?
The rest of the article has even more cringe-worthy quotes.
To be sure, Moonves is no longer at CBS:
In September 2018, Moonves stepped down as chairman of CBS after multiple women brought forth sexual assault allegations against him. Moonves allegedly destroyed evidence of his sexual misconduct.[9]
Given that Moonves was at the top at CBS — until he wasn’t — is it inappropriate to speculate about corporate culture and values at CBS?
I’m old enough to remember the old saw about… Marx? Lenin? saying something about capitalists being perfectly willing to sell the rope that would be used to hang them.
And here we are.
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