Stephen Colbert ‘burnt out’ and ‘taking time for himself’ before making ‘next big move’
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Stephen Colbert hosted The Late Show for 11 seasons(Image: CBS)
Stephen Colbert is reportedly “taking time for himself” as he feels “burned out” following the end of his 11-season run hosting The Late Show.
The comedian and writer, 62, hosted his final show on CBS in May 2026. The network said the cancellation was for economic reasons but others, including the host himself, have expressed skepticism that Donald Trump’s repeated criticism of the show had nothing to do with it.
The cancellation came after CBS parent company Paramount agreed to pay $16 million to settle Trump’s lawsuit over a 60 Minutes interview, as Paramount’s sale to Skydance Media awaited the administration’s approval. Colbert had called the settlement a “big fat bribe.” Following the cancellation, Trump rejoiced in a Truth Social post, writing “I absolutely love” that the host “got fired.”
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Speculation emerged about Stephen after he was spotted looking somber after Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding at Madison Square Garden last weekend.
After the event, a source claimed the TV host feels “so burned out” as going from being on The Late Show for 11 seasons and working 12-hour days to having a slower lifestyle has been “a major change” for him.
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His show came to an end in May(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Speaking to the Daily Mail, an insider said the comedian “is coming down from the pressure of being on a late show” and he “has been taking time for himself” since the show was taken off air. The source added that Stephen’s wife, Evelyn McGee Colbert, has been “his rock” and has been by his side throughout the process.
The pair are now said to live a “low-key” life in Montclair, New Jersey, where they are “well-liked around town.” According to the source, Stephen is using this time “decompress” before “making his next big move.”
They added, “Rather than rushing into another nightly program, he’s weighing a number of opportunities, including another television show, a podcast, and other projects, knowing he’s in a strong position when it comes to future negotiations.”
The insider claimed that Stephen wants to stay out of the spotlight for a while and potentially returning later – possibly when Trump is no longer in office – to have “fresh material and a new perspective.”
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His lifestyle has completely changed since the show ended, a source said(Image: AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The source concluded, “He’s still adjusting to the reality that a job he expected to have for many more years came to an end. That doesn’t mean he’s disappearing.”
On his final broadcast of The Late Show on May 21, Stephen chatted with Paul McCartney and joined him on stage for a raucous performance of “Hello, Goodbye.” At the top of his last show, which grew more surreal and absurd as it went on, the host highlighted the “joy” that he and his team felt creating more than 1,800 episodes of The Late Show.
“The energy that you’ve given us, we sincerely need that to have done the best possible show we could have for you for the last 11 years,” Stephen said. “You’ve given it to us. We’ve given it all right back to you.”
The Late Show, which began in 1993 with host David Letterman, won two Emmys under Colbert, as well as a Peabody Award. After the show ended, its time slot went to Comics Unleashed, a talk show that host Byron Allen vowed would eschew politics.
