Stephen Colbert had a rollercoaster year in 2025 after CBS announced that his show, “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” was canceled. The comedian opened up about the biggest lesson he learned before heading into 2026.
Stephen Colbert’s Biggest Lesson of 2025
During an appearance on CNN’s New Year’s Eve broadcast with Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper, Colbert was asked by the “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen” host, “I’m curious what you left last year having learned? What was the major lesson that you learned?”
Colbert, 61, responded, “What did I learn? Don’t trust billionaires!”
While he did not elaborate, the beloved host previously made his opinion on the matter clear during an April 2025 episode of his talk show, as he performed a parody song called “Billionaires Are Actually Good” with Alan Cumming.
“Some people say we should eat the rich / I don’t blame them / They look delish,” the pair sang. “Shut up, buy their self-driving cars / And if you’re lucky, you’ll be their slave on Mars,” the duo sang.
‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ Was Canceled
Colbert shocked his fans in July with the announcement that his show was being axed by CBS. He addressed the live audience during a July 2025 taping to share the unexpected news.
“Before we start the show, I want to let you know something that I found out just last night. Next year will be our last season. The network [CBS] will be ending ‘The Late Show’ in May,” Colbert said in July. “I share your feelings. It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of ‘The Late Show’ on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away. I do want to say that the folks at CBS have been great partners … and I’m grateful to the audience, you, who have joined us every night in here, out there and all around the world.”
Colbert, who took over the gig after David Letterman’s retirement in 2015, has been on air for more than a decade. The
According to CBS executives, the decision was purely a business one.
“‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season. We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire ‘The Late Show’ franchise at that time,” the company’s statement read. “We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television.”
