During a July 17 taping, Colbert announced the cancellation of The Late Show. Colbert, who took over from David Letterman as host in September 2015, said he was "grateful" for being given a chair and a "beautiful theater to call home," as well as his viewers from "all around the world."

Batiste joined The Late Show family in 2015 when Colbert took over for the series’ former host, David Letterman. He acted as the show’s bandleader and musical director until he left in 2022 to further pursue his personal music career. Louis Cato took over Batiste’s role later that year and continues to serve as The Late Show ‘s bandleader.

Acclaimed musician Jon Batiste has addressed the axing of Stephen Colbert’s talk show—and hinted at his friend’s next move. Batiste, a Grammy and Oscar winner himself, was bandleader and musical director of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert from its beginning in 2015 until 2022.