Late-night & Industry Shifts
Key Questions
What happened with Stephen Colbert's show?
Colbert was cancelled after a joke about Paramount's Trump settlement, with his final show facing internal feuds and his post-cancellation public access show encountering legal threats. CBS paid a licensing fee for his last Peanuts joke, with proceeds going to World Central Kitchen.
Which new comedy series are coming to Apple TV+?
Apple TV+ ordered 'Brothers' starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, premiering globally on Sept. 23, and renewed 'Widow's Bay' early for Season 2.
What major talent deals were announced?
Quinta Brunson signed a 5-year overall deal with Disney's 20th Television after leaving Warner Bros. TV, Cedric The Entertainer signed with IAG, and JB Smoove has a first-look deal with Fox.
How are late-night shows and podcasts performing financially?
Late-night is losing $40M/year overall, though Colbert's show remained profitable at $102M; podcasts saw a $30M ad spend shift, with Kimmel gaining +53% YoY in post-Colbert ratings.
What Emmy-related news is emerging for 2026?
Emmy predictions highlight Supporting Actor and Actress races with shows like Shrinking, Hacks, The Bear, and Widow's Bay; dream nominees include Matthew Rhys and Tim Robinson, with Quinta Brunson and others noted.
Which Fox shows were renewed or cancelled?
Fox renewed American Dad!, Bob's Burgers, and Family Guy through 2028-29, plus Animal Control and Best Medicine, while cancelling Going Dutch.
What other industry shifts are occurring?
DOJ approved Paramount-Skydance acquisition of WBD, Fox acquired Roku for $22B, BET revived Comic View as a rooftop series starting June 30, and Hollywood workers rallied against the Paramount-Skydance deal.
Are there new comedy projects involving government or public figures?
Chris Pratt will star in a government-funded comedy shorts series for America 250, while Bill Maher is set to receive the Mark Twain Prize amid some backlash from Wanda Sykes.
Colbert cancelled after joke about Paramount's Trump settlement; post-cancellation public access show faces legal threats. CBS paid licensing fee for Colbert's final Peanuts joke, proceeds to World Central Kitchen. Byron Allen 'Comics Unleashed' May 22. Late-night losing $40M/year but Colbert profitable ($102M); podcasts $30M ad spend shift. Kimmel tops post-Colbert ratings (+53% YoY). Tim Allen rejects Jimmy Kimmel's gift. Hulu picks up 'Cable Guy' pilot. Only Murders in the Building S6 adds star cast. Emmy ballot oddities. Disney+ 'The Doomies' June 26. 'The Sandlot' reunion series. Hollywood workers rally against Paramount-Skydance deal. Bill Maher to receive Mark Twain Prize. Apple TV+ 'Widow's Bay' renewed early for S2. Cedric The Entertainer signs with IAG. Nick Offerman's 'The Pout-Pout Fish' streaming hit. Tracy Morgan backlash and Flip Wilson Award. NBC private comedy showcase. TCA Awards nominations. DOJ approves Paramount-Skydance acquisition of WBD; internal division noted. Fox acquires Roku for $22B – analysis suggests creators shouldn't sweat yet. Janelle James developing 'Rock City' at Hulu with David Caspe. Emmys 2026 dream nominees include Matthew Rhys (Widow's Bay) and Tim Robinson (The Chair Company). JoySauce AAPI network aims for Emmy. NBC cancels 11 shows including 'Stumble' (96% RT) – new comedies 'Newlyweds' and 'Sunset P.I.' added to fall schedule. JB Smoove first-look deal with Fox. Mindy Kaling's 'Not Suitable for Work' gains traction. Wanda Sykes calls out Bill Maher. New dark comedy 'Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed' at ATX. BET revives Comic View as rooftop series starting June 30 – confirmed by recent article. Emmy predictions highlight Supporting Actor race with Shrinking, Hacks, The Bear, Widow's Bay. Betches signs with CAA. Streaming originals roll back diversity per UCLA report. Tom Dreesen, Sinatra's opener and Comedy Store strike figure, dies at 87. Las Culturistas Awards (Matt Rogers & Bowen Yang) aired on Bravo/Peacock, signaling podcast-to-TV crossover. Jon Stewart roasts Trump on Daily Show – continues political satire relevance. Apple TV+ orders 'Brothers' with McConaughey/Harrelson Sept 23. Lexi Minetree promotes 'Elle' (Legally Blonde prequel) – new comedy series in development. Iain Stirling's 'Roast The Internet' new UK roast format. Fox renewals: American Dad!, Bob's Burgers, Family Guy through 2028-29; Animal Control, Best Medicine renewed; Going Dutch cancelled. Emmy predictions for Supporting Actress include Einbinder (Hacks), James (Abbott), O'Flynn (Widow's Bay), Padilla (SNL), Richardson (PONIES), Stalter (Hacks). Quinta Brunson leaves WBTV for 5-year overall deal with Disney's 20th Television – major talent migration signal. Colbert final show internal feud details emerge (CBS Mornings ignored it). Chris Pratt to star in government-funded comedy shorts series for America 250 – ATTN and Alex Gregory (Veep) involved, a novel public diplomacy comedy experiment. Ryan Long on Fox News blames 'wokeness' for comedy's decline – ongoing culture war narrative.