CBS has announced the cancellation of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” which will conclude its run in May 2026. This decision marks the end of a significant era in late-night television, removing one of former President Donald Trump‘s most visible critics from the airwaves. The news follows Colbert’s recent comments regarding a settlement between Paramount Global and Trump concerning a “60 Minutes” segment, set against the backdrop of a corporate merger.
Network executives emphasized that the cancellation stems from financial considerations and is “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.” The late-night program has been a staple since David Letterman first hosted it in 1993, with Colbert taking over in 2015.
Public Broadcasting Faces Financial Strain
In Alaska, public broadcasters are grappling with significant funding cuts following Congress’s elimination of nearly $1.1 billion in federal support over the next two years. This reduction threatens the viability of many stations, particularly those in rural areas.
An example emerged when a public radio station’s general manager paused her efforts to alert the community about a potential tsunami to send a text to Senator Lisa Murkowski, urging her to oppose the funding cuts. Despite Murkowski’s vote against the bill, the legislation passed, leaving public media leaders anxious about the future.
Honorees and Viral Hits in Entertainment
In entertainment news, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has revealed that Penélope Cruz, Bruce Springsteen, Walter Salles, and Bowen Yang will be honored at this year’s Academy Museum Gala. Scheduled for October 18, the event will also feature a live performance by Springsteen. The gala, now in its fifth year, aims to raise funds for the museum and will see participation from numerous Hollywood celebrities.
In a surprising turn, the late Connie Francis, whose hits include “Pretty Little Baby” and “Who’s Sorry Now?”, recently experienced a resurgence on social media. Just weeks before her death at age 87 on Thursday, the non-single “Pretty Little Baby” became a viral sensation on TikTok, generating over 22.5 million videos featuring the song.
K-Pop and Auctions Make Headlines
The K-pop scene welcomed a new group, 1VERSE, which debuted this week. This five-member band includes two North Korean defectors, rapper Hyuk and singer Seok, alongside members from the United States and Japan. Their debut album, “The 1st Verse,” features the title track “Shattered.”
In the auction world, a whip used by Harrison Ford in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” fetched $525,000, while a sled from “Citizen Kane” sold for a staggering $14.75 million. These items were part of the Summer Entertainment Auction by Heritage Auctions, which is now the second-highest grossing entertainment auction in history, with more transactions expected.
As various sectors in entertainment navigate changes and challenges, these stories reflect the evolving landscape of culture and media in 2023.
