Stephen Colbert and David Letterman in 2023.

Credit: The Late Show/Instagram

A media icon has spoken — and his words are cutting deep. Legendary former Late Show host David Letterman has thrown serious shade at his former network, CBS, just days after the company abruptly canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

In a bold video posted online, Letterman didn’t hold back, quipping:

“You can’t spell CBS without BS.”

The message couldn’t have been clearer. What was once a late-night institution is now at the center of controversy — and Letterman is stepping up to call it out.

History Comes Full Circle

The video, over 20 minutes long, features clips from Letterman’s long career, highlighting past jokes and digs at CBS. It’s a montage that feels more like a warning shot than a nostalgic look back.

The timing? Impossible to ignore — it dropped just days after CBS announced the end of Colbert’s run on The Late Show.

Though Letterman didn’t mention Colbert by name, the implication was obvious: the move to cancel his successor’s show wasn’t just about ratings or finances. It was about silencing a voice.

Colbert’s Exit Sparks Questions

David Letterman and Stephen Colbert at opening night of ‘Neal Brennan’s Unacceptable’ in 2021.

Credit : Bruce Glikas/Getty

While CBS has cited ballooning production costs — reportedly upwards of $50 million annually — as a key reason for canceling the show, insiders point to something more political.

In a recent monologue, Colbert publicly criticized CBS and its parent company Paramount for paying former president Donald Trump $16 million to settle a lawsuit, calling it a “massive bribe.”

Not long after, The Late Show was removed from CBS’s schedule entirely.

Coincidence? Many don’t think so.

“Never Interfere With a Merger”

A former Late Show producer told Variety:

“Never interfere with a corporate merger. If you become the loudest voice during delicate negotiations, you become expendable.”

And now, Letterman appears to be echoing that sentiment. Speaking in a follow-up clip, he remarked:

“I don’t think Stephen was treated fairly — not by a long shot.”

For Letterman, this isn’t just about Colbert. It’s about the integrity of The Late Show brand, and the right to challenge power on national television.

A Wave of Support from the Late-Night World

Letterman isn’t alone. Prominent hosts like Jimmy Fallon, John Oliver, Seth Meyers, and Jon Stewart have all expressed concern over Colbert’s removal.

Their shared fear? That the move signals a crackdown on political satire and dissent within corporate media.

“If Colbert can be silenced,” one host said anonymously, “then the rest of us can too.”

CBS vs. Its Legacy

The Late Show was once known as a platform that held power accountable. Letterman built his legacy on subversive humor, fearless interviews, and satirical jabs at authority.

Today, he fears that legacy is being erased.

“We used to be proud of being the show that could laugh at the system,” Letterman said. “Now it seems like they’re afraid of that very thing.”

CBS has not responded to the growing backlash, but the silence is only fueling speculation.

What’s Next for Colbert?

Rumors are swirling that Colbert is in talks with major streaming platforms — and even CNN — to launch a new show, free from network censorship.

In his final episode, Colbert left viewers with a cryptic but powerful statement:

“I won’t let them hide the truth, no matter how ugly it is.”

The quote has since gone viral, becoming a rallying cry for fans who believe he was unfairly pushed out.

The Collapse of a Giant?

CBS’s decision to cancel The Late Show feels like more than just a scheduling change — it’s a potential cultural shift. In the era of mergers, profit margins, and silencing dissenting voices, even the biggest stars can be cut down.

But David Letterman isn’t going quietly. His scathing rebuke of CBS — delivered with trademark wit and biting precision — is a reminder that television’s golden age had teeth.

“CBS used to stand for something,” he said. “Now? Just BS.”

Only time will tell if the network can recover — or if this is just the beginning of its unraveling.