In a fiery Fox News appearance, Piers Morgan has ripped into Stephen Colbert following the news that CBS has canceled The Late Show amid declining ratings and escalating financial losses. Morgan’s sharp remarks about Colbert’s $40 million-a-year late-night show come after CBS announced the show’s end, a decision that has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. While Colbert’s fanbase mourns the end of his popular talk show, Morgan has wasted no time in delivering a biting critique of both Colbert’s content and the larger late-night television industry.

The Decline of Late Night TV: A Financial Disaster

In his appearance on Fox News, Morgan made it clear that he believes Colbert’s show was failing both creatively and financially. Speaking about the news that CBS would be ending The Late Show in May 2026, Morgan questioned the reasoning behind the show’s demise:
“I’ve never read so much, or heard so much guff about a reason for a guy getting canceled. His ratings were tanking, he was costing them $40 million a year, he had 200 staff… 200 people! And all they do all day is prepare anti-Trump jokes,” Morgan said, highlighting the absurdity of the costs associated with the show’s production.

For Morgan, the issue isn’t just about Colbert’s political commentary—it’s about a lack of originality and appeal. He stated that Colbert had turned The Late Show into a one-trick pony, focusing too heavily on Trump-bashing and political rhetoric, leaving audiences alienated and disengaged. The network, according to Morgan, had no choice but to pull the plug on a show that was losing millions.

Morgan’s Critique: The Fall of Political Late Night

As someone who has also faced a talk show cancellation due to poor ratings, Morgan is uniquely positioned to comment on Colbert’s fall from late-night supremacy. He pointed to Colbert’s overreliance on Trump jokes as the root cause of the show’s declining popularity. “It’s a one-trick pony. Trump-bashing, Trump-bashing, Trump-bashing,” Morgan continued, emphasizing that late-night hosts need to evolve beyond political jabs and instead focus on providing universal humor that appeals to a broader audience.

Morgan’s comments draw attention to the larger issue in late-night TV: the polarization of content and the failure to provide entertainment that resonates with a wide range of viewers. “Why shoot for just half an audience all the time?” Morgan asked, calling out the increasing trend among late-night hosts to cater only to one ideological side. The reality is that audiences are tired of partisan rants and are seeking something more lighthearted and unifying—a sentiment Morgan believes Colbert failed to grasp.

The $20 Million Secret: Internal Leaks and Corporate Cover-ups

As Morgan commented on Colbert’s failed ratings, he referenced a $20 million secret that Fallon allegedly referenced during his fiery remarks about NBC’s interference in his show. Sources close to the production of The Late Show indicate that internal tensions were already brewing behind the scenes. Allegedly, Colbert had been battling NBC executives over issues of creativity and control, with some sources pointing to hush money being paid out to cover up the hostile work environment and management struggles within the network.

This secret, Morgan claimed, was a reflection of the political manipulation that increasingly drove late-night shows. Instead of focusing on comedic value, the network had made it clear that political alignment was a determining factor in the content. This level of corporate interference, Morgan argues, had led to a culture of comedic monotony—and ultimately, the downfall of late-night television as a whole.

Late-Night Hosts Under Fire: Who’s Next?

With the cancellation of Colbert’s show, the spotlight now turns to other late-night hosts, particularly those who have been openly political in their content. Jimmy Fallon, who has had his own fair share of controversies over the years, could be next on the chopping block. Colbert’s departure has opened the door for an industry-wide reevaluation of what works in late-night television. According to Morgan, the days of partisan-driven comedy are numbered.

“People want to see uncensored, unfiltered comment—the kind of stuff you get around the sofa,” Morgan explained. “They don’t want to see a one-trick, whiny pony telling everyone all the time the guy they voted for is terrible.” In other words, late-night TV needs to rediscover its roots—comedy that is funny, engaging, and relevant to everyone, regardless of political beliefs.

The Future of Late-Night TV: A New Era or a Lost Opportunity?

While many lament the end of The Late Show and its political satire, Morgan’s comments suggest that there is an opportunity for the next generation of hosts to reclaim the late-night throne without falling into the political trap that has marred much of the current programming. With audiences demanding more variety, there’s a clear opening for a new wave of comedy that isn’t just about political jabs but about real entertainment.

Morgan’s call to action for the next era of late-night TV hosts is clear: it’s time to move away from predictable politics and rediscover the joy of laughter that doesn’t come at the expense of the audience’s diversity of thought. The future of late-night television could be shaped by this change, where the emphasis is placed on bringing together audiences through humor, rather than dividing them through ideology.

Conclusion: The Death of Colbert’s Show — A Shift in Late-Night TV’s Future?

As Stephen Colbert’s show draws to a close, the underlying cause of his cancellation appears to be the failure to adapt to a changing media landscape. While Colbert’s sharp political humor garnered attention for years, the lack of broader appeal and alienation of half the audience have made the show a financial liability for CBS.

For Piers Morgan, Colbert’s downfall is a cautionary tale for late-night hosts who rely too heavily on political agendas and one-dimensional humor. As the landscape continues to shift, late-night television faces a reckoning—one where comedy must return to its roots of unifying entertainment rather than partisan performance.

As the battle for late-night supremacy continues, it’s clear that the days of political monologues may soon be numbered. And as Morgan says, the time is now for late-night TV to evolve—before it’s too late.