Stephen Colbert Wastes No Time Landing A New Gig Despite All The Late Show Drama, And I Think It’s Almost Too Perfect A Fit

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So far in 2025, Stephen Colbert‘s year has been quite eventful. Just as The Late Show was receiving its newest round of Emmy nominations, including nine consecutive ones in the primary category for talk shows, CBS unexpectedly announced the cancellation of this long-running late night program. This decision came amidst CBS merging with Paramount Global and Skydance Media, a move that has caused some controversy. However, it appears that Colbert has already found his next role, though not exactly in the realm of traditional late night TV…to an extent.

While The Late Show with Stephen Colbert hasn’t officially begun its final season yet, set to start during the 11th season, many viewers are speculating whether or not Stephen Colbert will continue hosting for an entire year following the controversial decision to cancel. This recent acting role might hint at his current feelings, but regardless of that, I’m eager to see what he does next.

What’s Stephen Colbert’s Newest TV Gig?

Stephen Colbert, who is accustomed to fully scripted and serialized TV shows, won’t stray too far from his comfort zone for his latest role. He has secured a guest appearance on the critically acclaimed CBS dramedy Elsbeth, a series that has consistently attracted top-notch guest stars during its initial two seasons, so it’s unlikely to disappoint this time around either.

It seems that discussions for Stephen Colbert to join the world of Elsbeth may have occurred (or at least begun) before the final decision about The Late Show was made. As reported by Vulture, this episode is expected to be scheduled for 2025 as the Season 3 opener for Carrie Preston’s title character in her legal series.

Elsbeth’s forthcoming season is set to air on a notable evening within CBS’s Fall television schedule. The network intends to capitalize on post-NFL viewership by premiering on Sunday, October 12th. However, it’s important to note that the network may make adjustments to the scheduling prior to its arrival, so keep an eye out for updates.

Who Will Stephen Colbert Be Playing On Elsbeth?

It appears that Stephen Colbert won’t be pushed out of his familiar environment when he appears on “Elsbeth”, as he’ll portray – here’s a fun twist – a late-night talk show host! If only I could say his name is Stevie Coltiger, but alas, that’s not accurate.

In a somewhat unusual turn of events, Colbert is set to guest star on the fictional talk show titled “Way Late with Scotty Bristol,” following his struggles with “The Late Show.” Unfortunately, specifics about his appearance remain undisclosed, leaving us in suspense as to whether Scotty Bristol will meet his end during this episode or if he’ll somehow be connected to the week’s mystery. I’m hoping for the latter, as it would keep the possibility alive for him to potentially reappear in the future.

If the character Elsbeth was established before The Late Show got cancelled, it’s unlikely that the upcoming episode will portray real-world events as originally planned. However, since filming is underway this week, there’s a chance that showrunner Jonathan Tolins or co-creators Robert and Michelle King might have revised the script to incorporate recent events in an unexpected manner. Given that Elsbeth wasn’t a point of contention during the Skydance/Paramount merger, it seems that the creative team behind the legal dramedy may have been advised to avoid referencing ongoing behind-the-scenes issues.

No matter if it’s going for all-out satire or just a quick, knowing reference to the future of The Late Show, I’m eagerly anticipating Elsbeth’s comeback on CBS when they appear as a guest on Colbert. Remember that Season 3 begins on Sunday, October 12, before its usual Thursday-night broadcasts, and new episodes will also be streamable with a Paramount+ subscription. So stay tuned for more updates!

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2025-08-04 18:24