Former ‘Late Show’ Bandleader Paul Shaffer Reacts to ‘Shocking’ Cancellation, Praises Stephen Colbert

Former ‘Late Show’ Bandleader Paul Shaffer Reacts to ‘Shocking’ Cancellation, Praises Stephen Colbert

Paul Shaffer, who played sidekick to ‘Late Show’ host David Letterman for decades, said Stephen Colbert ‘was absolutely number one.’

Longtime 'Late Show' sidekick Paul Shaffer calls show's cancellation 'absolutely shocking'

"I'm glad that I was in and out of there while the getting was good," Shaffer told EW at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.Isaiah Trickey/FilmMagic; Scott Kowalchyk/CBS Paul Shaffer at the premiere of 'John Candy: I Like Me' at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 4, 2025; Stephen Colbert on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' on Sept. 2, 2025Key pointsPaul Shaffer said that The Late Show's cancellation is "absolutel…

'That's All I Can Say': David Letterman's Musical Director Paul Shaffer Discusses Stephen Colbert's Cancellation And The Future Of Late-Night TV

Paul Shaffer, David Letterman's music director on The Late Show, comments on Stephen Colbert getting canceled at CBS.