Tonight Show Producer Lorne Michaels Just Weighed In On The Great Late Night Cancelation Debate

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Following the unexpected termination of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” which sparked a wave of discontent among viewers, notable figures like Bowen Yang and Jimmy Kimmel have voiced their support. Kimmel even contested assertions about financial losses at “The Late Show,” with many speculating about the future of late-night television. As for what this might imply for other nightly shows, Lorne Michaels, the producer of “The Tonight Show,” is offering his perspective on the matter.

Michael not only established and continues to produce the long-running television show “Saturday Night Live,” now entering its 51st season in the fall of 2025, with speculations about its future, but his production company, Broadway Video, has been behind “The Tonight Show” ever since Jimmy Fallon, a former “SNL” cast member, took over in 2014. Additionally, he’s been producing “Late Night,” hosted by fellow ex-“SNL” cast member Seth Meyers, since the ’90s. With such a vast background in this field, it came as a surprise to many when the cancellation of “The Late Show” was announced, as Michael shared with Puck News’ Matt Belloni.

I was quite taken aback. To clarify, I stand with the performers, but there are two types of viewers now. One group tunes in via TikTok and YouTube, while another watches on linear television. In essence, Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert, Conan O’Brien, and others who succeeded David Letterman, will maintain their traditional late-night show format, assuming everyone is tuning in simultaneously. On the other hand, Jimmy Fallon offers a wide variety of content that can be watched throughout the day.

Many reasons have surfaced for the cancellation of The Late Show, among them the new CBS boss accusing YouTube, where many viewers watch clips or full interviews – a point made by Michaels himself. However, such a situation is not exclusive to this show, given the growing influence of the Internet. It’s important to remember that the renewal or cancellation of any show remains uncertain, regardless of how promising or challenging its current state may seem.

A year down the line, circumstances might shift drastically, but Michael appears quite unfazed. He’s shared some insights about the future of The Tonight Show and Late Night, which seems to bring a temporary reassurance to fans, for the time being.

Absolutely, I believe Brian Roberts, Comcast’s CEO and a highly respected individual in my eyes, possesses strong moral principles. Simultaneously, it’s important to note that everyone holds broadcasting licenses, but I sincerely doubt our actions significantly impact things.

It appears that Jimmy Fallon’s “The Tonight Show” and Seth Meyers’ “Late Night” are likely to continue for an extended period, which is certainly advantageous news. Additionally, it doesn’t hurt that Lorne Michaels, the producers, has a solid rapport with the CEO of Comcast. Both Fallon and Meyers have voiced their backing for Colbert, alongside other late-night hosts, and both shows are successful. Notably, this wouldn’t be the first time that Fallon might have felt anxious about cancellation; he’s openly addressed negative reviews and criticism, regardless of its origin.

The television world is always evolving, with changes happening both backstage and from higher authorities. While the cancellation of “The Late Show” has caused quite a stir and raised concerns about the future of late-night programming, there are likely several factors at play. It’s uncertain what this means for the coming months, and it’s difficult to predict the fate of other late-night shows. If “The Late Show” is any clue, anything can happen in this ever-changing landscape.

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2025-08-30 16:38