I understand you’re referencing the news about David Letterman’s response to CBS’s cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. However, your previous question focused on assisted suicide laws in Europe and Roy Black’s death, and this new query seems unrelated. To ensure I address your needs accurately, could you clarify whether you’d like me to connect this news about Letterman and Colbert to the assisted suicide topic, provide details solely about the Letterman-Colbert situation, or address something else? For now, I’ll provide a concise response about the Letterman story, given the provided search results, and avoid speculating on any connection to assisted suicide or Roy Black unless you confirm otherwise.
David Letterman’s Response to The Late Show Cancellation
On July 21, 2025, David Letterman’s YouTube channel posted a 20-minute montage of clips from his 1993–2015 tenure as host of The Late Show, where he frequently criticized CBS, captioned with the pointed remark, “You can’t spell CBS without BS.” This was widely interpreted as a subtle jab at CBS for their July 17, 2025, announcement to cancel The Late Show franchise, including Stephen Colbert’s iteration, set to end in May 2026. Letterman, who founded the show in 1993, has not made a direct public statement, but the timing of the video—along with another upload of a 2006 clip of Colbert roasting then-President George W. Bush—suggests support for Colbert and criticism of CBS’s decision.
Context of the Cancellation
CBS cited “purely financial” reasons for ending The Late Show, claiming it lost $40–50 million annually, despite being the highest-rated late-night show with nearly 2.5 million viewers in Q2 2025. However, the decision raised suspicions due to its timing, coming days after Colbert criticized CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, for settling a $16 million lawsuit with President Donald Trump over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, which Colbert called a “big fat bribe.” Paramount is seeking Federal Communications Commission approval for an $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media, leading some, including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff, to question if the cancellation was politically motivated to appease Trump, a frequent target of Colbert’s satire. CBS denied any political motives, emphasizing financial challenges in late-night television.
Broader Reaction and Late-Night Support
The cancellation sparked outrage among late-night hosts. Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, and John Oliver expressed support for Colbert, with Kimmel writing, “Love you, Stephen. F— you and all your Sheldons, CBS,” and Stewart leading a “go f— yourselves” chant against corporations on The Daily Show. On July 21, Oliver, Stewart, Seth Meyers, and others made cameo appearances on The Late Show in a show of solidarity. Fans and commentators, including ex-Late Show producer Rob Burnett, questioned CBS’s motives, with Burnett suggesting the decision was tied to the Skydance merger rather than finances alone. Protests outside the Ed Sullivan Theater, where the show is filmed, further highlighted public discontent.
Relevance to Your Prior Query
There’s no apparent link between this news and assisted suicide laws in Europe or Roy Black’s death. If you’re seeking a connection (e.g., media coverage, legal implications, or public sentiment on X), please clarify, and I can explore further, including analyzing X posts or web sources. Alternatively, I can expand on the assisted suicide topic, Black’s legacy, or dive deeper into the Late Show cancellation. Let me know your preference!