Former ‘Late Show’ EP Rob Burnett Reflects On Stephen Colbert Cancellation: “Never Threaten A Corporate Merger”

In a wholesale late-night talk show change, CBS is exiting the space with the cancellation of the Late Show With Stephen Colbert, sunsetting the franchise that launched in 1993 with David Letterman as host.

Rob Burnett, who was a writer-producer on NBC’s Late Night With David Letterman until Letterman moved to CBS in a dramatic fashion after being passed over for The Tonight Show, was on the Late Show with David Letterman for its entire 22-year run.

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The former Late Show executive producer, who also served as president of Letterman’s Worldwide Pants banner, tapped into his comedy writer background when he was asked by Deadline about CBS’ decision to ax the Late Show.

“When we started the Late Show in 1993, we had the same goals everyone doing talk shows has: make people laugh and never threaten a corporate merger,” he quipped.

The latter is clearly a reference to the CBS parent Paramount Global’s pending acquisition by Skydance which has loomed large over the Late Show cancellation as it came only days after Colbert, an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, called Paramount Global’s $16 million settlement of Trump’s 60 Minutes lawsuit a “big fat bribe.” Settling the suit had been considered a move by Paramount to help secure FCC approval for the Skydance merger.

“If Colbert had been #1 and nominated for an Emmy two days prior none of this would have happened,” Burnett deadpanned about the Late Show with Stephen Colbert‘s status as the most watched late-night program by a wide margin. On Tuesday, it landed another Emmy nomination for Outstanding Talk Series.

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Looking to preempt the backlash, CBS called the Late Show cancellation “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” claiming it “is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”

Burnett didn’t quite buy that argument.

“While the financial landscape of late night has undeniably changed, I don’t think you dismiss a talent like Stephen Colbert in this manner,” he said, adding, “It just doesn’t make sense.”

He also picked a winner in the CBS vs. Colbert debacle.

“Stephen is as good as it gets,” Burnett said. “He will be heard from for many years to come. They should choose their adversaries more wisely.”

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