When the final episode of 'The Late Show' aired in May, it was considered that Stephen Colbert achieved a rarity in the television world: ending a beloved show on his own terms. The farewell episode was filled with famous faces, emotional goodbyes, and a perfect closing note to Colbert's 11-year career and the 33-year 'Late Show' tradition with the song “Hello, Goodbye.”

However, despite CBS's insistence that the cancellation decision was "entirely a financial decision," the conflict between Colbert and the network continues. This conflict has shifted towards who will have the final say in how 'The Late Show' will be remembered. As the host of a program synonymous with sharp political satire, Colbert faced the cancellation process with unexpected maturity.

Although Colbert clearly stated he was not pleased with CBS ending the most-watched late-night show on television, he avoided turning his final months into a complaint session. Instead, he expressed his disappointment in smaller, sharper ways. His repeated jokes about CBS canceling the show for "financial reasons" were sarcastic enough to remind viewers that he didn't fully believe the company's message.

Even after recording his final episode, Colbert humorously noted that only half of what he said on screen was true while thanking CBS for those still on stage. This effort to maintain balance emerged as a sensible approach in the show's final period; Colbert still had episodes to present and wanted to offer viewers another perspective in the process.