Home / Arts and Entertainment / Colbert & O'Brien Mourn Vanishing Late Night Era
Colbert & O'Brien Mourn Vanishing Late Night Era
8 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Colbert and O'Brien discussed the decline of late-night television.
- Both hosts confirmed CBS is exiting the late-night game entirely.
- They expressed optimism for future creative endeavors beyond TV.

Stephen Colbert and Conan O'Brien recently reflected on the changing television industry, specifically the decline of late-night talk shows. Colbert confirmed that CBS is ceasing its late-night operations entirely, a move that signifies a significant shift for the genre. Both hosts, who inherited the late-night mantle from predecessors, expressed a sense of loss for this traditional television format.
Despite acknowledging the challenges, O'Brien, who has found success in podcasting and streaming, shared an optimistic outlook. He believes that younger generations will adapt and find new ways to create content. O'Brien encouraged Colbert, emphasizing that a host's identity is not solely tied to their show, and that new opportunities for fulfillment exist beyond the familiar late-night stage.




