David Letterman and Stephen Colbert threw Late Show furniture off the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theatre on Thursday, May 14, 2026 [3].
The stunt marks a public act of defiance against CBS and its current ownership. By destroying physical assets of the network, the hosts signaled a contentious departure from the corporate structure of the late-night institution.
Letterman, 79, and Colbert, 62, carried out the action in New York City [1, 2]. The pair targeted set pieces and furniture, dropping them from the rooftop of the historic theater. This act of revenge served as a mockery of the network's management [4, 5].
During the event, Letterman delivered a final, blunt message to the network. "Good night and good luck, motherf---ers," Letterman said [6].
The incident occurs as the Late Show prepares for a major transition. Colbert is scheduled to have his final broadcast on May 21, 2026 [7]. While most reports describe the act as a general strike against CBS ownership, some reports link the stunt to the upcoming CBS-Paramount takeover by the Ellison family [8].
Neither CBS nor the hosts have issued a formal statement regarding the cost of the destroyed property. The stunt represents a rare moment of public hostility between a network and its primary late-night talent, a relationship usually governed by strict corporate branding and contracts.
“"Good night and good luck, motherf---ers."”
This stunt highlights the growing tension between legacy talent and the shifting ownership of major media conglomerates. By targeting the Ed Sullivan Theatre—a symbol of broadcast history—Letterman and Colbert are not just attacking a company, but protesting the corporate evolution of the late-night format during a period of ownership transition.
