The Late Night Era's Final Curtain Call: A Legacy of Fragmentation The impending end of Stephen Colbert's tenure on CBS's The Late Show marks a significant milestone in late night television.
This development is not just about saying goodbye to one host but signals the conclusion of a 33 year franchise that began with David Letterman in 1993 and has been slowly fragmenting into distinct shapes ever since.
As entertainment continues to shift with the rise of streaming services, clips, podcasts, and social media, traditional late night formats are no longer the only game in town.