Sally Field’s Tearful Tribute to Stephen Colbert’s Cancelled Late Show Sparks Outrage

In a stunning turn of events, CBS has announced the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a decision that has left fans, celebrities, and even the host himself reeling. Among those expressing their shock and sadness is Oscar-winning actress Sally Field, 78, who took to social media to share her heartfelt feelings—and an intimate photo—following the bombshell news. The announcement, which marks the end of a 33-year franchise, has ignited a firestorm of outrage across social media, with famous fans and viewers alike decrying CBS’s decision. As the entertainment world grapples with the loss of one of late-night television’s most iconic programs, questions swirl about the motives behind the cancellation and what it means for the future of the genre.

A Shocking Announcement

On Thursday, July 17, 2025, Stephen Colbert broke the news to his live audience at New York’s Ed Sullivan Theater, revealing that The Late Show would conclude in May 2026, at the end of the 2025-26 broadcast season. The announcement was met with a chorus of boos from the audience, with Colbert himself admitting, “Yeah, I share your feelings.” The comedian, who has hosted the show since 2015 after taking over from David Letterman, was informed of the decision just the night before, underscoring the abrupt nature of the move. “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,” Colbert said, his voice tinged with emotion.

CBS, in a statement, described the cancellation as “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” emphasizing that it was unrelated to the show’s performance or content. However, the timing of the announcement—coming just days after Colbert criticized CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, for settling a $16 million lawsuit with President Donald Trump—has raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about political motivations.

Sally Field’s Emotional Response

Among the flood of reactions, Sally Field’s response stood out for its raw emotion and personal touch. The beloved actress, known for her Oscar-winning roles in Norma Rae (1979) and Places in the Heart (1984), shared a poignant post on Instagram, accompanied by an intimate photo of herself watching The Late Show from her living room. In the caption, Field wrote, “Stephen, you’ve been a beacon of humor and truth for so many of us. My heart breaks knowing The Late Show is ending. This photo is from one of your monologues that made me laugh through tears. You and your team deserve better.” The image, showing Field curled up on her couch with a glass of wine and a bittersweet smile, struck a chord with fans, quickly amassing thousands of likes and comments.

Field’s post resonated deeply, not only because of her status as a Hollywood icon but also due to her long-standing connection with Colbert. The actress has been a frequent guest on The Late Show, where her candid conversations with Colbert about her career, life, and social issues endeared her to audiences. Her emotional tribute highlighted the personal impact of the cancellation, amplifying the outrage felt by fans and celebrities alike.

Social Media Erupts in Outrage

The news of The Late Show’s cancellation sent shockwaves across social media, with fans and famous figures expressing disbelief and anger. Comedian Andy Richter, former sidekick to Conan O’Brien, posted on X, “Stephen Colbert is a profoundly good and deeply talented man with a great staff and an excellent show. They all deserve better.” Director Judd Apatow echoed the sentiment, writing, “My admiration and appreciation for you is bottomless, Stephen. Excited to see what other brilliance you put into the world.” Former Late Show bandleader Jon Batiste called Colbert “the greatest to ever do it,” while actress Rachel Zegler shared, “I am extremely sad. I adore you, Stephen.”

Perhaps the most pointed reaction came from late-night rival Jimmy Kimmel, who took aim at CBS on Instagram, writing, “Love you Stephen. [Expletive] you and all your Sheldons CBS,” referencing the network’s popular sitcoms The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon. The outpouring of support underscored Colbert’s impact as a sharp-witted commentator whose political humor and engaging interviews made The Late Show a cultural touchstone.

Questions of Politics and Profit

While CBS insists the cancellation was driven by financial pressures, citing losses of tens of millions of dollars annually, many are skeptical. The timing of the decision—three days after Colbert called Paramount’s $16 million settlement with Trump a “big fat bribe”—has led to speculation that political factors played a role. The settlement stemmed from a lawsuit Trump filed over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, which he claimed was deceptively edited. Paramount’s pending $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media, which requires approval from the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission, has further fueled suspicions.

Democratic Senators Adam Schiff and Elizabeth Warren have publicly questioned the motives behind the cancellation. Schiff, who was a guest on the Thursday taping, wrote on X, “If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.” Warren added, “CBS canceled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount … America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.” The Writers Guild of America also weighed in, expressing “significant concerns” that the cancellation could be a “bribe” to curry favor with the Trump administration.

President Trump himself celebrated the news on Truth Social, writing, “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings.” The comment, while characteristic of Trump’s combative style, only intensified the debate over whether the cancellation was purely financial or influenced by external pressures.

The Decline of Late-Night Television

The cancellation of The Late Show comes amid a broader decline in the late-night television landscape. Once a cornerstone of network programming, late-night shows have struggled to maintain relevance in an era dominated by streaming platforms and social media. The Late Show was the highest-rated program in its time slot, averaging 2.417 million viewers across 41 episodes this year, according to Nielsen ratings. Yet, despite its success, the show reportedly lost over $40 million annually, a reflection of the high production costs and dwindling ad revenue plaguing the genre.

CBS’s decision to retire the Late Show franchise entirely, rather than replacing Colbert with a new host, signals a significant shift. The network previously canceled its 12:30 a.m. show, After Midnight, and other networks have also scaled back late-night offerings. NBC, for example, eliminated the house band for Late Night with Seth Meyers and reduced The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to four nights a week. As viewers increasingly turn to YouTube and TikTok for bite-sized content, the traditional late-night format faces an uncertain future.

What’s Next for Stephen Colbert?

Colbert, who rose to fame on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report before taking the helm at The Late Show, has vowed to make the final 10 months of the show memorable. “It’s a fantastic job. I wish somebody else was getting it, and it’s a job that I’m looking forward to doing with this usual gang of idiots for another 10 months,” he quipped during the announcement. Fans and industry insiders are already speculating about his next move, with many hoping he’ll continue his brand of incisive humor on a new platform, whether in television, streaming, or podcasting.

Sally Field’s emotional tribute, along with the outpouring of support from fans and celebrities, underscores the profound impact The Late Show has had over its decade under Colbert’s stewardship. As the entertainment world mourns the loss of a late-night institution, the debate over the cancellation’s true motives—financial, political, or a mix of both—continues to rage.