Story perspectives

CBS Orders Colbert to Vacate Ed Sullivan, Staff Unpaid

5/14/2026

Summary

Colbert Evicted

CBS ordered Stephen Colbert and his staff to vacate the Ed Sullivan Theater by May 29 after the May 21 finale.
Colbert said on Strike Force Five that his staff will not be paid after the finale, that they will leave the next day, and that he has already packed his belongings.
CBS claimed in July 2025 that the cancellation was financial, a rationale now questioned by Colbert and other late-night hosts.

Summary

Colbert Calls Bribe

Stephen Colbert called Paramount's $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump a “big fat bribe” on May 13, 2026.
He kissed Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Pedro Pascal on the show.
He listed past on-camera kisses with Sally Field, Andrew Garfield, Helen Mirren, Allison Janney, Jeff Daniels and Jane Fonda.
CBS staff called the cancellation a “Trump shakedown.”
He will co-write the upcoming Lord of the Rings film, Shadow of the Past, announced by Peter Jackson.

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Colbert Evicted

CBS ordered Stephen Colbert and his staff to vacate the Ed Sullivan Theater by May 29 after the May 21 finale.
Colbert said on Strike Force Five that his staff will not be paid after the finale, that they will leave the next day, and that he has already packed his belongings.
CBS claimed in July 2025 that the cancellation was financial, a rationale now questioned by Colbert and other late-night hosts.

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