At Slate’s Political Gabfest event on Thursday, Dec. 18, the Late Show host, 61, joined former CBS News anchor John Dickerson on stage to celebrate Dickerson’s final days at the network. As Slate host David Plotz introduced the panel, Colbert stood up, walked over to hug Dickerson — and then briefly raised his middle finger toward the audience, a moment that drew loud cheers and applause.
The gesture appeared to be directed at CBS, which announced in July that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026 after 10 seasons.
Dickerson, 57, officially wrapped up his tenure at CBS News this week. In an Instagram post shared on Oct. 27, he confirmed his departure after 16 years with the network.
“Local news: At the end of this year, I will leave CBS, sixteen years after I sat in as Face the Nation anchor for the first time,” Dickerson wrote. “I am extremely grateful for all that CBS gave me — the work, the audience’s attention and the honor of being a part of the network’s history. I will miss you.”
Colbert announced the end of The Late Show on July 17, explaining that the program would not continue with a new host after his exit. He took over the iconic late-night franchise in September 2015 following David Letterman’s retirement.
“It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS,” Colbert said at the time. “I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away. And I do want to say that the folks at CBS have been great partners.”
CBS later stated that the decision was “purely a financial” one. However, the announcement came just days after Colbert publicly criticized Paramount — CBS’s parent company — for paying former President Donald Trump $16 million as part of a settlement. The payment occurred while Paramount was seeking government approval for its merger with Skydance, which was finalized on Aug. 7.
In a November interview with GQ, Colbert questioned the decision, calling it damaging to the network’s credibility.
“It is self-evident that that is damaging to the reputation of the network, the corporation and the news division,” he said. “If people have theories that associate me with that, it’s a reasonable thing to think.”
Colbert added that while he has personal feelings about the show ending, he sees no benefit in speculating publicly about CBS’s motivations. “I have had a great relationship with CBS,” he said.
Dickerson also criticized the settlement in July while on CBS Evening News Plus, warning that such decisions could erode public trust.
“When it doesn’t work on ourselves, the stakes are real — a loss of public trust,” he said. “Can an audience trust you when it thinks you’ve traded away that trust?”
During the Political Gabfest discussion, Colbert and Dickerson hinted at possible future plans. When Plotz suggested the two former CBS colleagues do something together next, both immediately agreed it was a “great idea.”
Colbert added that he hopes to use his upcoming free time to explore new interests. “I want to learn something that I didn’t know before,” he said, “to do something I’ve never done before.”
For now, Colbert’s brief but bold moment on stage seems to reflect both frustration and defiance as two longtime CBS figures prepare for their next chapters.
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