Following the cancellation of CBS’s “The Late Show”, comedian Stephen Colbert has already landed his next TV role. According to Vulture, the 61-year-old will guest star in the CBS procedural comedy-drama “Elsbeth”, a spin-off of the hit legal series “The Good Wife.”
Colbert will play Scotty Bristol, the fictional host of “Way Late with Scotty Bristol”, a late-night show that mirrors his real-life former role.
Role Likely Planned Before Cancellation
Production on the “Elsbeth” episode began last week in New York City. The guest role was reportedly planned before CBS announced the end of “The Late Show”, according to insiders cited by Vulture.
The opportunity arose earlier this year when “Elsbeth” star Wendell Pierce appeared on Colbert’s show. During that February segment, Colbert joked about wanting a role on the series — and Pierce responded, “I think we can make that happen.”
Colbert Reacts to Cancellation: “It’s All Just Going Away”
Colbert addressed the end of his 10-year run on “The Late Show” during a July 27 taping at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City:
“Next year will be our last season,” Colbert told the audience. “The network will be ending The Late Show in May.”
Audience members booed the announcement, to which Colbert replied:
“It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”
He thanked fans and his staff, adding:
“It’s a job that I’m looking forward to doing with this usual gang of idiots for another 10 months. It’s going to be fun.”
CBS Cites Financial Pressures
CBS executives have publicly attributed the cancellation to financial concerns, not ratings. The Late Show has consistently ranked among the top late-night programs in viewership, but networks have increasingly faced budget constraints, especially with declining advertising revenue and the shrinking influence of traditional TV.
Comedy World Responds
Colbert’s colleagues in the comedy world have since come out in support. A-list entertainers including David Letterman, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, John Oliver, Jon Stewart, and Adam Sandler have expressed solidarity with Colbert following the show’s cancellation.
