Letterman condemns cancelling Colbert’s show as a major mistake.
David Letterman, former host of “The Late Show” from 1993 to 2015, criticized CBS’s decision to cancel the program after 33 years, calling the move a mistake that would hurt American culture. The announcement came after Stephen Colbert, who has hosted the show since 2015, confirmed in July 2025 that CBS was ending the series for financial reasons, with both Paramount Global and CBS stating the decision was unrelated to the show’s performance.
Letterman discussed the cancellation with TODAY correspondent Craig Melvin at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indiana. He also appeared on “The Late Show” on April 15 to address the termination, noting that while the show itself is gone, the host’s voice remains.
The program will be replaced by “Comics Unleashed,” hosted by Byron Allen. Colbert’s interview with Letterman was filmed on the same day the network settled a $16 million lawsuit with the White House over a controversial “60 Minutes” interview hosted on the show.
In a separate effort, Letterman, co‑owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and other team members are promoting the “Stay In the Race” heart‑screening campaign. The initiative partners with Edwards Lifesciences to offer heart valve screening at racing events, emphasizing early detection for adults aged 65 and older. The campaign’s short documentary is set to stream online on May 22.