Fans of late-night talk shows can rest easy knowing that this show will not be disappearing anytime soon, at least not until next year. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is set to return from its summer hiatus in early September. This break follows a cancellation announcement that has left both the show and host, Stephen Colbert, in a precarious position. Colbert, who succeeded David Letterman, is not the only host currently off the air; Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel are also taking breaks, but all three hosts are expected to return shortly.

Summer Break Is Nearly Over, So the ‘Late Show’ Will Return

Fortunately for fans, the wait is almost over. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will return with new episodes on September 2. While it may seem like a long time since Colbert’s show aired a new episode, it is quite common for late-night shows to take breaks during the summer months. Other hosts like Kimmel have guest hosts fill in during their vacations, as seen with <em>Jimmy Kimmel Live!</em>. Currently, The Late Show is on a month-long hiatus that began on August 7, but in the meantime, fans can enjoy reruns featuring beloved stars such as Alan Cumming, George Clooney, Bad Bunny, and many others.

The ‘Late Show’ Was Recently Canceled

Although this month-long break is typical, fans will soon be missing much more than just a month of The Late Show. During the monologue of the July 17 episode, Colbert informed viewers that Paramount had canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Colbert announced that this season, which is set to conclude in May 2026, would be the last one on CBS. Fans were taken aback by this news, but Colbert maintained his composure and expressed gratitude towards CBS. He stated, “It’s a job that I’m looking forward to doing with this usual gang of idiots for another 10 months.” While CBS and Paramount attributed the cancellation of The Late Show to financial reasons, many—including Colbert—believe it was influenced by criticism directed at Paramount and President Donald Trump. During the same episode, Colbert made pointed remarks about Paramount regarding a settlement they reached with the President for $16 million less than two weeks prior, likely to facilitate government approval for a merger.

The cancellation of The Late Show sparked significant reactions. Following the announcement, numerous television hosts rallied in support of Colbert, including Seth Meyers, Jon Stewart, and Andy Cohen. Other notable figures such as Adam Sandler and Christopher McDonald, known from Happy Gilmore 2, made cameo appearances. The Writers Guild of America even criticized Paramount’s decision and initiated an investigation into the underlying reasons. Throughout this ordeal, Colbert has remained outspoken, even telling Trump to “Go f**k yourself” on air after Trump mockingly referenced the cancellation.

The ‘Late Show’s Ratings Have Surged Amidst Cancellation Tensions

Since the announcement of The Late Show’s impending conclusion, there has been a notable increase in ratings—an expected outcome given the response from fans and fellow late-night hosts. CBS even clarified that the cancellation decision was “not related in any way to the show’s performance,” in an official statement. In the week following the cancellation announcement, it achieved record-high weekly viewership for a CBS talk show. This surge in ratings is promising for Colbert as he seeks a new network after May. Hopefully, viewership will continue to rise when The Late Show resumes after its break.

Despite everything that has transpired, The Late Show will return soon to continue where it left off—at least for one final season. The summer break is nearly over, and audiences can anticipate Colbert’s continued passion for his beliefs. Even after facing cancellation, Colbert remains determined to advocate for The Late Show.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will return on September 2 on CBS. Episodes can also be streamed on Paramount+.