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David Letterman reacts to the end of Stephen Colbert’s ‘Late Show’: ‘It’s a huge mistake’

Nbcwashington · · 538 words · By Scott Stump; TODAY
open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/david-letterman-r…

fact_checkFact-Check Results

13 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

check_circle Corroborated 4
info Single Source 4
schedule Pending 3
verified Verified By Reference 1
help Insufficient Evidence 1
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“The legendary former “Late Show” host shared his take with TODAY’s Craig Melvin on the cancellation of the CBS late-night program after 33 years on the air.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple cross-references and web search results confirm that CBS is canceling 'The Late Show' and that it has been on the air since 1993 (approximately 33 years).
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Late Late Show with James Corden (also known simply as Late Late) is an American late-night talk show that aired on CBS from 2015 to 2023. It is the fourth and final iteration of The Late Late Sho…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Late_Late_Show_with_James_…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Late Show is an American late-night talk show franchise on CBS. It first aired on August 30, 1993, with host David Letterman, who previously hosted Late Night with David Letterman on NBC from 1982…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Late_Show_(franchise)
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is an American late-night news talk show hosted by Stephen Colbert, which premiered on September 8, 2015. The show is the second and final iteration of CBS' Late Sho…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Late_Show_with_Stephen_Col…
+ 3 more evidence sources
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“The final episode with host Stephen Colbert airs May 21.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent news sources (NY Post, Deutsche Welle) explicitly state the final episode airs on May 21.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is an American late-night talk show and it airs weeknights at 11:35 pm Eastern/10:35 pm Central on CBS in the United States. The hour-long show has aired since Septe…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Late_Show_with_Ste…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is the list of episodes of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that aired in 2026.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Late_Show_with_Ste…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is an American late-night news talk show hosted by Stephen Colbert, which premiered on September 8, 2015. The show is the second and final iteration of CBS' Late Sho…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Late_Show_with_Stephen_Col…
+ 5 more evidence sources
verified
“Letterman, 79, who hosted the show from its inception in 1993 until 2015”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia confirms David Letterman hosted the show from 1993 to 2015. Web search results identify him as 78 or 79 years old (born April 12, 1947).
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — David Michael Letterman (born April 12, 1947) is an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer. He hosted late-night television talk shows for 33 years, beginning with the February 1, 19…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Letterman
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman (commonly referred to as My Next Guest) is an American television talk show hosted by David Letterman that premiered on January 12, 2018, on Ne…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Next_Guest_Needs_No_Introdu…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Late Late Show is an American late-night television talk and variety comedy show that originally aired from January 9, 1995, to April 27, 2023, on CBS. Tom Snyder was the show's first host, follow…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Late_Late_Show_(American_t…
+ 3 more evidence sources
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“Colbert, who took over for Letterman in 2015, announced in July 2025 that CBS was canceling the show.”
CORROBORATED
Web search results confirm that the network announced the show's ending in July and that Colbert took over in 2015.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Evelyn McGee Colbert (born Evelyn Brabham McGee; July 23, 1963) is an American producer and entrepreneur who works in the arts. She is a founding member of Montclair Film, as well as president of its …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evelyn_McGee_Colbert
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is an American late-night news talk show hosted by Stephen Colbert, which premiered on September 8, 2015. The show is the second and final iteration of CBS' Late Sho…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Late_Show_with_Stephen_Col…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Stephen Tyrone Colbert ( kohl-BAIR; born May 13, 1964) is an American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host. He is best known for hosting the Comedy Central new…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Colbert
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
“The heads of Paramount Global and CBS released a statement, saying their “agonizing decision” was “purely a financial” one”
SINGLE SOURCE
While the cancellation is corroborated, the specific wording of the 'agonizing decision' and 'purely financial' reason is not found in the provided evidence snippets from other sources.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is an American late-night news talk show hosted by Stephen Colbert, which premiered on September 8, 2015. The show is the second and final iteration of CBS' Late Sho…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Late_Show_with_Stephen_Col…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Late Show is an American late-night talk show franchise on CBS. It first aired on August 30, 1993, with host David Letterman, who previously hosted Late Night with David Letterman on NBC from 1982…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Late_Show_(franchise)
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Paramount Skydance Corporation (doing business as Paramount) is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate. The company's primary corporate headquarters is located at the Para…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramount_Skydance
+ 3 more evidence sources
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“News of the cancellation came just days after Colbert called CBS’ $16 million settlement with the White House over a “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris a “big, fat bribe” on “The Late Show.””
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources (NPR, YouTube, Web Search) confirm Paramount Global agreed to a $16 million settlement regarding a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris.
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web search NEUTRAL — Paramount said it would pay to settle the suit, but with the money allocated to Trump's future presidential library, not paid to him "directly or indirectly". The company noted the settlement does not…
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3w4n8778q2o
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web search NEUTRAL — Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS, has agreed to pay $16 million in a settlement with U.S. President Donald Trump.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd7yWzETD7E
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web search NEUTRAL — The network's parent company, Paramount Global, has agreed to pay $16 million for President Trump's future presidential library to settle a lawsuit he filed over the editing of a 60 Minutes interview …
https://www.npr.org/2025/07/02/nx-s1-5454790/cbs-settlement-…
info
“The show is being replaced with “Comics Unleashed,” hosted by Byron Allen.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided web search results for this claim are irrelevant (discussing Jillian Michaels) and do not mention 'Comics Unleashed' or Byron Allen.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Learn about The Fitness App by Jillian Michaels. Find links to download the right app for your device. Start a trial to get 7 days for free. Subscribe to unlock premium app features, get custom workou…
https://www.jillianmichaels.com/
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web search NEUTRAL — Oct 4, 2023 · Learn about The Fitness App by Jillian Michaels. Find links to download the right app for your device. Start a trial to get 7 days for free. Subscribe to unlock premium app features, get…
https://www.jillianmichaels.com/blog/health-and-fitness/pill…
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web search NEUTRAL — Jillian Michaels is the foremost fitness expert in the world and a renowned life coach. From her hit televisions shows, extensively successful fitness DVDs and exercise streaming platform fitfusion.co…
https://www.jillianmichaels.com/about?language_content_entit…
info
“Letterman also appeared on “The Late Show” with Colbert on April 15 and talked about the cancellation.”
SINGLE SOURCE
While it is known Letterman appeared on the show as a final guest, the specific date of April 15 and the context of discussing the cancellation is not corroborated by the provided evidence.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Colbert took over on the Late Show from the veteran host David Letterman, who hosted the show for 22 years, from 1993 to 2015.“We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire The Late Show f…
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/jul/18/the-lat…
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web search NEUTRAL — David Letterman joined Stephen Colbert on The Late Show as one of the show's final guests. Letterman originated the franchise in 1993 and hosted for 23 seasons before handing over the reins to Colbert…
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv/articles/david-letter…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — He hosted late-night television talk shows for 33 years, beginning with the February 1, 1982, debut of Late Night with David Letterman on NBC and ending with the May 20, 2015, broadcast of Late Show w…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Letterman
info
“The diehard racing fan, who co-owns Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with legendary Indianapolis 500 champion Bobby Rahal and businessman Mike Lanigan”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided search results for this claim are irrelevant (discussing biblical David and a doctor), providing no evidence for the racing team ownership.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Find information about and book an appointment with David B. Ling, DO in Grand Junction, CO. Specialties: Internal Medicine.
https://doctors.intermountainhealth.org/provider/david-b-lin…
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web search NEUTRAL — David is honored as an ideal king and the forefather of the future Hebrew Messiah in Jewish prophetic literature, and many psalms are attributed to him. David is also richly represented in post-biblic…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David
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web search NEUTRAL — Sep 18, 2025 · Explore David and his inspiring journey of faith, repentance, and forgiveness, revealing timeless lessons for our spiritual walk today.
https://biblestudytoolbox.com/bible-studies/bible-characters…
help
“RLL Racing has partnered with Edwards Lifesciences for the “Stay In the Race” campaign to set up heart valve screening booths at races around the country”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for this claim.
schedule
“Letterman, Rahal and Lanigan have all survived serious heart scares.”
PENDING
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“Letterman had quintuple bypass surgery in 2000, Rahal has had quadruple bypass surgery and Lanigan has undergone triple bypass surgery.”
PENDING
schedule
“The trio are featured in a short documentary called “Stay in the Race” that will premiere online on May 22.”
PENDING
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.