After The Late Present with Stephen Colbert was out of the blue canceled and brought on an uproar with viewers, celebrities similar to Bowen Yang and Jimmy Kimmel are displaying their assist. Kimmel additionally referred to as out claims about The Late Present dropping cash, as many are questioning what this implies for late-night tv. Whereas it’s arduous to foretell how issues will end up for different late-night exhibits, The Tonight Present producer Lorne Michaels is weighing in on the entire scenario.
Michaels not solely created and presently produces Saturday Evening Reside, which coming into its 51st season on the 2025 TV schedule this fall, and rumored to even be at risk, however his Broadway Video manufacturing firm has been producing The Tonight Present since former SNL forged member Jimmy Fallon took over in 2014. He’s additionally been producing Late Evening, presently hosted by fellow former SNL forged member Seth Meyers, because the ‘90s, so Michaels undoubtedly has a number of expertise in that style. And like many, he was shocked when The Late Present’s cancelation was introduced, as he informed Puck Information’ Matt Belloni:
I used to be simply surprised. I’m on the aspect of the individuals who do exhibits, however there’s two audiences now. There’s the viewers that’s [watching on] TikTok and YouTube, and there’s a linear viewers. Each Seth [Meyers] and [Stephen] Colbert are heirs to David Letterman. You realize what I imply? Conan [O’Brien] as properly. They’re going to be doing that [type of show], simply as I’m nonetheless doing SNL, as if everyone’s watching that night time. However Jimmy [Fallon] does a number of stuff you could watch all day.
There have been a number of reported components for The Late Present’s cancelation, together with the brand new CBS head honcho blaming YouTube, the place lots of people have been watching both clips or full interviews. That is precisely what Michaels identified. However that may actually be mentioned for any present because the Web continues to take over. That being mentioned, nothing is ever sure relating to a present’s renewal or cancelation… irrespective of how bleak or nice issues might look.
Issues might at all times change a 12 months from now, however Michaels doesn’t appear too anxious. He revealed the possibilities of The Tonight Present and Late Evening, and it looks like followers will be capable to breathe a sigh of aid, at the very least for now:
Sure. I believe Brian Roberts (Comcast’s CEO) − who I can be working for for the remainder of my life, who I’ve very excessive admiration for −has integrity. On the similar time, everybody has (broadcast) licenses … However I actually do not imagine that we have an effect on issues.
It feels like The Tonight Present Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Evening with Seth Meyers can be sticking round for a very long time, which is unquestionably factor. It additionally helps that Michaels has relationship with the Comcast CEO. Each Fallon and Meyers have proven assist to Colbert, as produce other late-night hosts, and each of their exhibits do properly. Plus, this actually wouldn’t be the primary time that Fallon was in all probability anxious a couple of cancelation, as he’s been open about public criticism and dangerous press earlier than, irrespective of the place it comes from.
The tv panorama isn’t the identical, and issues are consistently shifting, whether or not it’s immediately behind the scenes or a better energy. Regardless that The Late Present’s cancelation has ruffled quite a lot of feathers and has made individuals anxious about the way forward for late-night, there are possible different components that go into it. What this might imply months from now’s unknown, and the standing of different late-night exhibits is difficult to inform. If The Late Present is any indication, something can occur.