Stephen Colbert Mocks Paramount for Canceling Hit Show Amid $108B Warner Bros. Bid
Stephen Colbert joked about Paramount Skydance’s massive $108 billion bid to take over Warner Bros. Discovery during Tuesday’s episode of “The Late Show,” telling viewers the company could use the money for something else: bringing back a canceled CBS series.
Colbert, discussing the bidding war on his monologue, said, “Just yesterday morning, my beloved parent company, Paramount, reportedly launched a hostile takeover bid for Warner Brothers, valued at $108 billion. Wow. I got to say, if my company’s got that kind of green, I’m sure they can afford to uncancel one of their best shows.”
The audience responded with loud cheers, forcing Colbert to calm the crowd before continuing. “CBS, you heard the people,” he added. “Bring back ‘The Equalizer.’ We need our Queen to return. Why do you think America has become so unequalized?”
Colbert was referring to Queen Latifah’s “The Equalizer,” which ended after five seasons in May. But Colbert was actually joking about his own cancellation, as CBS announced his show would end in May 2026, citing financial reasons.
On July 17, CBS announced that it would be ending The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and would be retiring The Late Show franchise altogether in May 2026 after 33 years (with the first 22 seasons under David Letterman and the following 11 seasons under Colbert), describing the move as “purely a financial decision”.
Stephen Colbert comments on Paramount's $108B hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) December 10, 2025
"Wow … If my company's got that kind of green … I'm sure they can afford to un-cancel one of their best shows" pic.twitter.com/j04VThU1vQ
The announcement has drawn controversy due to the show’s relative popularity among late-night television, its relation to the merger of Skydance and Paramount, and perceived political motive due to criticisms of the Trump administration by Colbert
He also commented on the funding behind the takeover, noting, “Turns out Paramount got a little assist on the cash front. Their bid includes $24 billion from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi wealth funds. And when the dictator of Saudi Arabia gives you billions of dollars, I’m sure there’s no catch.”
Ending with another joke, Colbert added, “In a totally unrelated story, I’m looking forward to next season’s new CBS hit comedy, ‘Young Mohammed bin Sheldon.'”
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