Sandra Oh didn’t hold back during her July 21 appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, addressing the surprise cancellation of the late-night program with sharp words for CBS and Paramount.
Just moments into the interview, Oh expressed solidarity with Colbert and the show’s staff, saying, “I am so sorry and saddened and properly outraged for the cancellation of late night here — not only for yourself and for this entire family who are here, but for what it means in our culture and what it means for free speech.”
Then, taking Colbert’s hand, she delivered a theatrical condemnation of the show’s corporate overseers: “To CBS and Paramount — a plague on both of your houses.”
The network announced the show would end in May 2026 after ten seasons, citing financial pressures. However, the announcement came just three days after Colbert publicly criticized Paramount over its $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump. The lawsuit involved allegations that CBS News’ 60 Minutes deceptively edited an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris. The timing of the cancellation has sparked speculation about political retaliation, especially as Paramount seeks a merger that would require approval from Trump’s administration.
Colbert, 61, responded to Oh’s remarks with gratitude, calling her comments “very kind.” Oh added one final jab: “And a pox on all those they serve.”
The backlash has been swift and widespread. Comedians including Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon voiced support for Colbert, with Kimmel posting, “Love you Stephen. F— you and all your Sheldons, CBS,” while Fallon called Colbert “one of the sharpest, funniest hosts to ever do it.”
Jon Stewart also weighed in during The Daily Show, taking aim at corporate decision-makers: “The shows you now seek to cancel, censor and control — a not insignificant portion of your value came from those shows. Shows that say something. Shows that take a stand.”
Stewart added bluntly: “If you think you can serve something so flavorless that you’ll never be on the boy king’s radar again, you’re f—ing wrong.”
Colbert himself addressed the firestorm on the July 21 broadcast by reading President Trump’s Truth Social post celebrating the cancellation: “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings.”
Colbert’s response? He turned to the camera and, with mock gravitas, said, “Go f— yourself,” prompting a standing ovation and chants of “Stephen! Stephen! Stephen!” from the audience.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will conclude its run in May 2026, ending an era that began in 1993 under David Letterman.
