CBS' shock announcement sparked speculation over whether there was a political motive for the program's cancellation.

Skydance, the movie studio trying to buy CBS and Comedy Central parent company Paramount, appears eager to rid CBS of “a liberal taint.”

The Writers Guild of America wants Paramount investigated for bribery after news of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” being canceled. Variety reports said it has “significant concerns” that the move may have been a way to bribe president Donald Trump into sanctioning Paramount’s pending acquisition by Skydance.