Actress Sandra Oh put Stephen Colbert in a tough spot on Monday when she became the first guest to appear on The Late Show after CBS decided to pull the plug. As Oh wished that a plague would descend upon CBS and its parent company, Paramount, Colbert had to look right into the camera and insist that he did not share such views.
Oh did not even wait for Colbert to ask a question, “Stephen, can I just start by saying something that I feel like probably everyone here and everyone who is so supportive outside wants to say, which is that I am so sorry and saddened and properly outraged for the cancellation of late night here.”
A raucous applause from the audience later, Oh tried to turn Colbert into a free speech martyr, “And not only for yourself and for this entire family who are here but for what it means, of what it means where we are in our culture, and what it means for free speech. So, I just want to say sorry, and also if I can have your hand.”
As she held Colbert by the hand, she continued, “To CBS and Paramount, a plague on both of your houses.”
Through some nervous laughter, Colbert addressed his bosses, “I’m very grateful. I think you’ve been great partners.”
Almost certainly alluding to President Trump, Oh added, “And also, a pox on all those that they serve.”
Colbert’s response indicates that he knows The Late Show is ending for financial reasons, just as CBS said. The Late Show was reportedly losing the network $40 million per year, and there was no reasonable expectation that was going to significantly improve in the near future because his average viewer is 68 years old.
As for Oh, she helped prove why late night is declining. No conservative wants to watch a show where celebrities wish disease upon the Republican president. Even if people wanted to see what Oh has to say about her upcoming theatrical performances in Shakespeare’s 12th Night, the need to stay up until midnight to do so is just not there in 2025.
Here is a transcript for the July 21-taped show:
CBS The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
7/22/2025
12:06 AM ET
SANDRA OH: Stephen, can I just start by saying something that I feel like probably everyone here and everyone who is so supportive outside wants to say, which is that I am so sorry and saddened and properly outraged for the cancellation of late night here.
And not only for yourself and for this entire family who are here but for what it means, of what it means where we are in our culture, and what it means for free speech. So, I just want to say sorry, and also if I can have your hand.
STEPHEN COLBERT: Yes.
OH: To CBS and Paramount, a plague on both of your houses. Wait—
COLBERT: I’m very grateful. I think you’ve been great partners.
OH: Yes, yes. Sorry. Yes, yes, yes, no, and also, a pox on all those that they serve.
COLBERT: You’re very kind. Thank you, Sandra Oh. That’s very nice of you to say. Very kind.
