Stephen Colbert reportedly found himself at a professional crossroads after “The Late Show” ended its run on CBS. Insiders claimed the longtime late-night host was struggling to decide what came next after spending nearly a decade behind the iconic desk.
The show’s cancellation marked the end of a major chapter in Colbert’s career. While fans continued speculating about his next move, the comedian largely stepped away from the spotlight and offered no clear indication of his future plans.
Insiders say Stephen Colbert is struggling to settle on his next professional move
Colbert remained “heartbroken” in the weeks following “The Late Show‘s” May 21 finale. The outlet cited comments from Hollywood insider Rob Shuter’s SubStack, where a source claimed the loss of the show had been deeply personal.
“This wasn’t just a job – it was his identity,” the insider told Rob Shuter’s SubStack. “Stephen poured everything into that show. Losing it has hit him hard.”
The source added that Colbert had largely kept to himself while trying to determine his next career move. “He’s always been the one holding everyone else together. Now he’s the one who needs time. He’s stepped away to figure out what comes next,” the insider said.
Colbert took over The Late Show on CBS in September 2015 after nearly a decade hosting The Colbert Report on Comedy Central. According to RadarOnline, many people close to him had heard very little from the host since the show’s conclusion, and it remained unclear whether he planned to return to television.
The outlet also reported that Colbert attended Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s July 3 wedding but appeared “unusually subdued and miserable,” a noticeable change from his typically upbeat public persona.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, The Late Show continued receiving industry recognition. According to RadarOnline, the program earned a 2026 Emmy nomination in the newly combined Outstanding Variety Series category, where it will compete against “The Daily Show,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver,” and “Saturday Night Live.” The Primetime Emmy Awards are scheduled to air Sept. 14 on NBC and Peacock.
RadarOnline also reported that Colbert’s departure triggered backlash across the entertainment industry, with fellow late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and John Oliver publicly supporting him. Nielsen data cited by the outlet showed CBS’s replacement programming lost 65% of the audience previously drawn by “The Late Show,” while Kimmel’s ratings climbed 53% after returning to television.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK STEPHEN COLBERT WILL RETURN TO LATE-NIGHT TV OR PURSUE SOMETHING NEW?
Originally reported by Vanshika Vasundhare Singh on Reality Tea
