Letterman Slams CBS Over Colbert Ending, Louis C.K. gets standing ovation at Netflix festival

May 7, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

David Letterman voiced strong criticism of CBS in a New York Times interview over the network's decision to end Stephen Colbert's Late Show, amid its sale to Skydance and involvement of the Ellison family. Johnny Mac highlights this as the top story, noting Letterman's disbelief and references to "Ellison twins" (later corrected to one person) spending Larry Ellison's money, originally from inventions like the Slinky. Letterman questioned what happened to Colbert, prioritizing the "humanity" for the host and fans over financial motives, despite CBS calling it a financial decision. He labeled network executives "lying weasels" for assurances during the sale that the show would continue. Letterman drew parallels to storage rental units overtaking neighborhoods, likening it to CBS leasing its late-night slot to Byron Allen's Comics Unleashed, while wishing Allen well for providing comedy.

Continue reading the full summary in the app — free to try.

Read Full Summary →

Free • No credit card required

Listen to Audio Summary Open in App

Never miss an episode of Daily Comedy News with Johnny Mac

Get every new episode summarized in your inbox — free, ~5 minutes to read.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

What you'll learn

1 (03:13) **David Letterman Slams CBS** - rips network and Ellison ownership over ending Colbert's Late Show in NYT interview
2 (06:17) **Louis C.K. Comeback at Netflix Festival** - gets standing ovation at Hollywood Bowl after raunchy set, no misconduct mention
3 (10:10) **Dave Chappelle Brings Out Kanye West** - quick appearance at Comedy Store with standing ovation, lineup includes Gillis, Rock, CK
4 (10:40) **Kevin Hart Netflix Roast Preview** - streams live Sunday, only Hart and Gillis confirmed so far
5 (11:34) **Funny AF Semifinals Note** - Chris Rock seemed unengaged; host enjoying as comedy competition
6 (12:17) **Zach Galifianakis on Trump Podcasters** - blasts comedians like Rogan, Schulz for not challenging Trump
7 (12:45) **Schulz vs. Charlamagne on Trump Policies** - debate on Brilliant Idiots over immigration crackdown motivating violence

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

Johnny Mac’s Daily Comedy News covers David Letterman’s New York Times interview about the Late Show ending, where he mocks the Ellisons, questions what happened to Stephen Colbert, and calls CBS/Skydance “lying weasels” despite CBS saying it was “unequivocally a financial decision,” while also discussing Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed as a sign of network TV’s shift. The episode reports Louis C.K.’s Netflix festival set at the Hollywood Bowl, his material, standing ovation, lack of addressing misconduct he previously admitted to, and a Decider critique of Netflix and the media’s framing. It notes Dave Chappelle bringing Kanye West onstage at The Comedy Store, uncertainty around the Roast of Kevin Hart lineup, Zach Galifianakis criticizing podcasters who don’t challenge Trump, a Schultz/Charlamagne debate, and festival spotlights including Night of Too Many Stars, Kill Tony, and multiple LA shows.

00:17 Letterman on Colbert Ending
03:13 Louis CK Netflix Festival Standing Ovation
05:09 Culture Critique and Media
07:09 Chappelle Brings Out Kanye
07:38 Kevin Hart Roast Updates
09:14 Andrew Shulz and Trump Podcasts
11:16 More News and Listening Picks
12:19 Netflix Festival Show Guide
15:21 Thursday Lineup at Netflix fest

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/daily-comedy-news-with-johnny-mac-a-daily-briefing-on-comedians-and-the-comedy-industry--4522158/support.

Daily Comedy News is the number one comedy news podcast, delivering daily coverage of standup comedy, late night television, comedy specials, tours, and the business of comedy.

COMEDY SURVIVOR in the facebook group.

Contact John at John@thesharkdeck dot com

For Uninterrupted Listening, use the Apple Podcast App and click the banner that says Uninterrupted Listening. $4.99/month

John's Substack about media is free.

This is the animal sanctuary mentioned in the February 10 episode.