Seth Meyers opened up about his fellow late-night colleague Stephen Colbert’s unceremonious ousting on the eve of his final episode, sparking a deep emotional conversation about loss and the evolving landscape of entertainment. 'Heartbroken,' he shared with Deadline in Madrid, echoed the universal pain of losing a time slot that once defined his career. 'It’s very sad to lose a colleague and even sadder to lose a time slot,' he explained, adding, 'It would be one thing if Stephen had left and a younger person had a chance.' The event coincided with CBS’s announcement that the Late Show with Stephen Colbert would end after July’s cancellation, citing a financial decision amid a challenging backdrop. However, the fallout came only days after the network revealed a $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump, which critics argued was a complex legal maneuver. 'As someone who has always been a proud employee of this network,' Colbert stated, 'I’m offended, and I don’t know if anything will ever repair my trust in this company.' His absence meant comics Unleashed with Byron Allen would take over the 11:35 p.m. slot temporarily, operating on a time-buy model. Despite this, Meyers hinted at a new chapter for him, stating he was writing the Lord of the Rings script. 'I think he’s been slow-playing this as what his next step was going to be,' he noted, 'and I’m very optimistic that it’s going to happen.' Meanwhile, Meyers reflected on his post-show plans, including a potential Hollywood gig, while emphasizing the importance of cultural conversations. The incident highlights broader themes of collaboration, financial pressures, and the unpredictable nature of media careers.
