Kids Pitch: Late Night Edition (Part One) | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert meets with a group of brilliant children to help craft a new late night television concept that is more appealing to young people. Keep watching for the thrilling conclusion of this two-part adventure in creativity.
Kids Pitch: Late Night Edition (Part Two) | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert unveils the exclusive trailer for a new late night television show created by kids, titled "Evening Island" with Rebecca. Special thanks to our guest stars Jenny Slate, Liam Neeson, Isa Briones, Taylor Dearden, The Avett Brothers, John Oliver and Richard Kind.
Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 PM CT on CBS and streaming live on Paramount+.
Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology and more. Featuring bandleader Louis Cato and “THE LATE SHOW band,” the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. Stephen Colbert took over as host, executive producer and writer of THE LATE SHOW on Sept. 8, 2015.
Host Stephen Colbert announced the news during the taping of Thursday’s show.
In a surprise announcement on Thursday, July 17, CBS and Late Show host Stephen Colbert said the show will come to an end in May 2026.
Update (1/28/26):The Late Show With Stephen Colbert is set to end — for good — on Thursday, May 21, Colbert revealed during a Monday (Jan. 26) taping of Late Night With Seth Meyers.
'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' during Monday’s January 20, 2025 show. | Scott Kowalchyk/CBS
Colbert told the show’s live audience during the taping of Thursday’s show at the Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York. In a statement, CBS said the cancellation was “purely a financial decision” made in a declining linear TV landscape.
The end of The Late Show at the end of the 2025-26 season will leave CBS without a late-night presence for the first time since 1993, when David Letterman moved from NBC to launch The Late Show. Colbert took over the show in 2015 and has been a consistent ratings leader among the network 11:35 p.m. shows for much of that time.
The announcement also comes as CBS’ parent company, Paramount Global, is hoping to close a merger with Skydance in the next few months. The company recently settled a lawsuit filed last year by Donald Trump (before he was elected to a second term as president) over a 60 Minutes interview with Trump’s election opponent, Kamala Harris. The settlement is widely seen as helping the merger’s chances for approval by the FCC under the Trump administration — and which Colbert, an outspoken Trump critic, criticized upon his return from a hiatus earlier this week. In its statement, CBS said that wasn’t a factor in the decision.
“The Late Show With Stephen Colbert will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season,” reads a statement from Paramount co-CEO and CBS president and CEO George Cheeks, CBS Entertainment head Amy Reisenbach and CBS Studios president David Stapf. “We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire The Late Show franchise at that time. We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television.
“This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.
“Our admiration, affection, and respect for the talents of Stephen Colbert and his incredible team made this agonizing decision even more difficult. Stephen has taken CBS late night by storm with cutting-edge comedy, a must-watch monologue and interviews with leaders in entertainment, politics, news and newsmakers across all areas. The show has been No. 1 in late night for nine straight seasons; Stephen’s comedy resonates daily across digital and social media; and the broadcast is a staple of the nation’s zeitgeist.
“The accomplishments of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert are memorable and significant in performance, quality and stature. With much gratitude, we look forward to honoring Stephen and celebrating the show over the next 10 months alongside its millions of fans and viewers.”
For his part, Colbert told the audience Thursday that he was informed of the decision to end The Late Show on Wednesday night, drawing boos from the crowd. “Yeah, I share your feelings,” he said. “… This is all just going away. I do want to say that the folks at CBS have been great partners. I’m so grateful to the Tiffany Network for giving me this chair and this beautiful theater to call home. And of course, I’m grateful to you, the audience who have joined us. … And I am extraordinarily, deeply grateful to the 200 people who work here.” Watch Colbert’s full announcement below.
As for the rest of the network late-night landscape, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! will begin the final season of its current three-year deal in the fall. NBC late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers signed deals last year to continue hosting The Tonight Show and Late Night through 2028.
L-R, Karim Diané as Jay-Den Kraag, George Hawkins as Darem Reymi, Kerrice Brooks as Sam, Bella Shepard as Genesis Lythe and Sandro Rosta as Caleb Mir in season 1, episode 5 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: John Medland/Paramount+
October 11, 2025 – Paramount+ today revealed the official trailer for its new original series STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY, which will premiere with two episodes on Thursday, January 15 on Paramount+ in the U.S. Following the premiere, new episodes of the 10-episode-long season will drop weekly on Thursdays, with the season finale on Thursday, March 12.
Stephen Colbert also announced in a special video that he will be the voice of Starfleet Academy’s Digital Dean of Students, giving daily announcements to the students and alerting them of anything that needs their immediate attention.
This week also marks the launch of StarfleetAcademy.com, where fans can explore the Academy’s campus life, academics and faculty. Enroll today to receive exclusive updates and more!
The above news was revealed today during the STAR TREK universe panel at New York Comic Con. The STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY panel portion featured an exclusive conversation with cast members Holly Hunter, Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, Bella Shepard, Zoë Steiner and Paul Giamatti, plus co-showrunners and executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau. The STAR TREK universe panel was moderated by Josh Horowitz, host of Happy Sad Confused.
STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY introduces viewers to a young group of cadets who come together to pursue a common dream of hope and optimism. Under the watchful and demanding eyes of their instructors, they discover what it takes to become Starfleet officers as they navigate blossoming friendships, explosive rivalries, first loves and a new enemy that threatens both the Academy and the Federation itself.
STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY stars Holly Hunter as the Chancellor of Starfleet Academy, the Starfleet cadets played by Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins and Bella Shepard, plus Zoë Steiner, Tig Notaro, Robert Picardo, and guest stars Oded Fehr, Mary Wiseman, as well as recurring guest stars Gina Yashere and Paul Giamatti.
Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau serve as co-showrunners and executive produce the series alongside executive producers Gaia Violo, Aaron Baiers, Olatunde Osunsanmi, Jenny Lumet, Rod Roddenberry, Trevor Roth, Frank Siracusa and John Weber. The series’ premiere episode is written by Gaia Violo and directed by Alex Kurtzman. STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY is produced by CBS Studios in association with Secret Hideout and Roddenberry Entertainment. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY will be available to stream exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S., the U.K., Latin America, Australia, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Japan. The series is also available on Paramount+ in Canada. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
The STAR TREK franchise on Paramount+ also includes STAR TREK: SECTION 31, the original movie with Oscar® winner Michelle Yeoh, and the acclaimed original series STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS, which recently premiered its third season. All seasons of the animated series STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS; the award-winning original series STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, starring Sonequa Martin-Green; and the critically acclaimed original series STAR TREK: PICARD, starring Patrick Stewart reprising the iconic role of Jean-Luc Picard, are also available to stream.
L-R: Robert Picardo as The Doctor, Kerrice Brooks as Sam and Bella Shepard as Genesis in season 1 , episode 1 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+
L-R: Gina Yashere as Lura Throk and Tig Notaro as Jett Reno in season 1 , episode 3 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: John Medland/Paramount+
L-R: Zoë Steiner as Tarima Sadal and Sandro Rosta as Caleb Mir in season 1 , episode 8 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Michael Gibson/Paramount+
L-R: Paul Giamatti as Nus Braka and Holly Hunter as Chancellor Nahla Ake in season 1 , episode 1 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+
L-R: Tig Notaro as Jett Reno, Sandro Rosta as Caleb Mir and Romeo Carere as Ocam in season 1 , episode 8 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+
L-R: George Hawkins as Darem Reymi, Kerrice Brooks as Sam and Sandro Rosta as Caleb Mir in season 1 , episode 3 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: John Medland/Paramount+
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About Paramount+
Paramount+ is a premium streaming subscription service delivering live sports, breaking news, and a Mountain of Entertainment™, and is a cornerstone of the Direct-to-Consumer division of Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY), a leading, next‑generation global media and entertainment company. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS – America’s most‑watched broadcast network, CBS News, CBS Sports, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information, please visit www.paramount.com.
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Star Trek: Starfleet Academy creators explain why it was so hard to crack the series
Ahead of today's NYCC reveals, showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau revealed to Entertainment Weekly that they wanted to focus on a new group of unseasoned cadets while also delivering classic "Star Trek" space adventures.
Showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau explain how they turned a spaceship into "a training hospital" for Starfleet cadets.
The Star Trek: Starfleet Academy creative leads preview Holly Hunter's Chancellor Nahla Ake, who's both captain of the U.S.S. Athena and head of the school.
From an East Coast college vibe to trees on the spacecraft itself, Landau explains how "we've added elements that make it feel alive."
There's a reason why a show like Star Trek: Starfleet Academy hasn't been made until now. How do you follow a class of unseasoned cadets during their learning period but still make it feel like Trek with regular space missions?
"It's hard to come up with a circumstance and a buy-in where you can still have Star Trek adventures with real stakes and real peril, but it's also a school," Noga Landau, a showrunner on the new series with Alex Kurtzman, tells Entertainment Weekly. "It's really important that viewers know that these kids actually go on real Star Trek missions and there is real Star Trek peril and complex situations that they have to navigate."
The duo since cracked the code with the U.S.S. Athena, a spaceship that doubles as the Starfleet campus when it docks on Earth. "We really did liken it to a teaching hospital," Kurtzman says. "You can only learn by getting thrown into the fire."
Holly Hunter is the woman in charge. As Chancellor Nahla Ake, the actress serves two roles: the captain of the U.S.S. Athena when it takes flight and the president of a school overseeing her students' education. "You're sort of talking about 'the cool mom,'" Kurtzman describes. "It's a very specific voice that you need. She has to have the authority of the captain, but also she needs to be the head of a school and be nurturing in that way, but also be tough. She really is in her own category as a captain."
Set in the 32nd century, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy follows the first class of cadets to attend the school after 120 years. Sandro Rosta stars as Caleb Mir, an orphan who's been searching for his mother (Tatiana Maslany) for a long time, not knowing if she's alive or dead. He realizes his best shot to find her is to join Starfleet Academy.
"The second scene of the pilot is Tatiana, Holly, and Paul together," Kurtzman says, referring to Paul Giamatti, who plays Nus Braka, a Klingon-Tellarite hybrid and the chief antagonist of the season. "Just the firepower in the scene is so extraordinary."
The showrunners plucked Rosta out of acting school after seeing his audition for Caleb. "We cast him mere days before we were going into production," Landau recalls. "He was the last piece of casting. He locked into that role from the first moment. I will never forget him sitting next to Holly. You've got a Hollywood legend sitting next to an adult man who's never been on camera before, and to see the two of them play those roles together, it was instant."
Karim Diané, George Hawkins, Bella Shepard, and Zoë Steiner portray some of the other cadets in this freshman class, but none received a bigger reaction when they first came out at San Diego Comic-Con than Kerrice Brooks. The actress plays S.A.M. (Series Acclimation Mil), a newborn hologram and the first of her kind to enroll in Starfleet. An attendee at that Con panel shouted to the bubbly Brooks back in July, "I love your energy!"
"The character of S.A.M. was not written for Kerrice in any way. She was a very different character originally," Kurtzman says. "In the very first round for S.A.M., we saw a bunch of actors and none of them were quite right. Then we saw Kerrice, who had a very different voice than the character that was written. Noga and I called each other and we were like, 'We are in the presence of a genius. We actually need to rewrite the character for her.' And so we did. We cast her right away, and then we adjusted the voice for Kerrice."
As for the ship itself, the showrunners brought an East Coast college vibe to the set. A certain Ivy League institution in Boston was a mentioned inspiration, even though the primary Earth location is San Francisco. Kurtzman and Landau tease other elements of the space craft, which transforms into the actual Starfleet Academy building when it touches down.
"It has trees in it. It looks like a Star Trek vessel, but we've added elements that make it feel alive," Landau says.
And not for nothing, but they're both fans of The West Wing, particularly the extended walk-and-talk camera shots. "The set is two levels," Kurtzman says. "We built many sets, but what we'll call the atrium is a two-level set where you could probably have a walk-and-talk that's five pages long and never have to cut."
Hopefully that applies to the show at large — never having to call cut. All of these sets were built with the foresight of getting a second season. The series is now well into filming its sophomore run. If viewers buy into this concept of a mobile academy, season 3 won't be far behind.
Stream the Star Trek Universe on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 PM CT on CBS and streaming live on Paramount+.
Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology and more. Featuring bandleader Louis Cato and “THE LATE SHOW band,” the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. Stephen Colbert took over as host, executive producer and writer of THE LATE SHOW on Sept. 8, 2015.
Kids Pitch: "Bulbo and the Strange Villain" - Part 2 - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert shares a sneak peek of the new superhero film, Bulbo and the Strange Villain, conceived entirely by kids! Special thanks to the film's all-star Hollywood cast including Walton Goggins, Steve Buscemi, Amanda Seyfried, Lizzy Caplan, Matthew Rhys, Tituss Burgess, John Oliver, Judy Greer and Tramell Tillman!
Kids Pitch: "Bulbo and the Strange Villain" - Part 1 - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert sits down with a group of very creative kids to find out what kind of superhero film they'd like to see. The result is a brilliant idea for a movie titled, Bulbo and the Strange Villain.
Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 PM CT on CBS and streaming live on Paramount+.
Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology and more. Featuring bandleader Louis Cato and “THE LATE SHOW band,” the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. Stephen Colbert took over as host, executive producer and writer of THE LATE SHOW on Sept. 8, 2015.
Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 PM CT on CBS and streaming live on Paramount+.
Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology and more. Featuring bandleader Louis Cato and “THE LATE SHOW band,” the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. Stephen Colbert took over as host, executive producer and writer of THE LATE SHOW on Sept. 8, 2015.
Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 PM CT on CBS and streaming live on Paramount+.
Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology and more. Featuring bandleader Louis Cato and “THE LATE SHOW band,” the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. Stephen Colbert took over as host, executive producer and writer of THE LATE SHOW on Sept. 8, 2015.
Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 PM CT on CBS and streaming live on Paramount+.
Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology and more. Featuring bandleader Louis Cato and “THE LATE SHOW band,” the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. Stephen Colbert took over as host, executive producer and writer of THE LATE SHOW on Sept. 8, 2015.
RuPaul Can Drive Any Vehicle, Including A Rainbow Bus Full Of Banned Books | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
“Knowledge is power,” says 14-time Emmy-winner RuPaul when explaining his motivation for touring the country to bring books to underserved communities.
RuPaul’s new memoir, The House of Hidden Meanings, is available now. https://amzn.to/4a0UynM
“We Celebrate By Going Right Back To Work” - RuPaul Reflects On 14th Emmy Win | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
14-time Emmy Award-winner RuPaul talks about the joys of working with his friends on RuPaul’s Drag Race, and credits his mother with setting him on the right path in life by sharing her secret to happiness. Stick around for more with RuPaul and check out the book, “The House of Hidden Meanings,” available now.
Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 PM CT on CBS and streaming live on Paramount+.
Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology and more. Featuring bandleader Louis Cato and “THE LATE SHOW band,” the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. Stephen Colbert took over as host, executive producer and writer of THE LATE SHOW on Sept. 8, 2015.
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New From Hasbro: Trauma Me Elmo | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Elmo has gained awareness of the inevitability of human suffering.
Also available: Emo Grover - he doesn't want to talk about it.
Elmo opens up to TODAY about tweet that sparked intense reaction | TODAY
“Sesame Street” star Elmo and his dad Louie join TODAY to speak out on the importance of checking in on your friends and the wave of emotional venting that ensued online when Elmo simply asked the world, “how’s everybody doing?”
MAGA’s Holy War On Taylor Swift | Elmo Taps America’s Angst | God’s Army Convoy Limps Toward Texas | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Donald Trump is jealous of Taylor Swift’s popularity, a tweet from Elmo garnered emotional responses, and a sad convoy of 20 vehicles is slowly making its way to Texas to bring vigilante justice to the Southern border.
Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 PM CT on CBS and streaming live on Paramount+.
Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology and more. Featuring bandleader Louis Cato and “THE LATE SHOW band,” the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. Stephen Colbert took over as host, executive producer and writer of THE LATE SHOW on Sept. 8, 2015.
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Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 PM CT on CBS and streaming live on Paramount+.
Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology and more. Featuring bandleader Louis Cato and “THE LATE SHOW band,” the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. Stephen Colbert took over as host, executive producer and writer of THE LATE SHOW on Sept. 8, 2015.
Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
"The Indict-Mare Before Christmas" A Late Show Animated Holiday Classic Narrated By Liam Neeson | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Donald Trump, on trial for 91 counts of naughtiness, tries a wild gambit: getting Santa to testify that he is on the nice list, pardoning him of all charges. Santa refuses, but that doesn’t stop Trump as he enlists the help of Elon Musk to turn him into Santa himself to clear his name. Can the real Santa stop Trumpy Claus in time to save Christmas?
Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 PM CT on CBS and streaming live on Paramount+.
Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology and more. Featuring bandleader Louis Cato and “THE LATE SHOW band,” the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. Stephen Colbert took over as host, executive producer and writer of THE LATE SHOW on Sept. 8, 2015.
Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
