Colbert Rejected Five-Year CBS Deal, Shaping the Final Late Show Negotiations
Stephen Colbert revealed in a New York Times interview that CBS pressed him to sign a five-year renewal in 2023, but he opted for a three-year extension, a detail that adds context to CBS’s claim that The Late Show’s end was financially driven. With the finale set for May 21, Colbert’s choice may have preserved leverage for future talks, especially as Jimmy Kimmel’s deal looms in the background. Colbert also discussed the show’s evolution from a less political tone to a more political one and said he is exploring post-Late Show projects (including a Lord of the Rings script) but does not have concrete plans yet, aiming to wait for breathing room after the series ends.
