Michaels not only created and currently produces Saturday Night Live, which entering its 51st season on the 2025 TV schedule this fall, and rumored to also be in danger, but his Broadway Video production company has been producing The Tonight Show since former SNL cast member Jimmy Fallon took over in 2014. He’s also been producing Late Night, currently hosted by fellow former SNL cast member Seth Meyers, since the ’90s, so Michaels definitely has a lot of experience in that genre. And like many, he was surprised when The Late Show’s cancelation was announced, as he told Puck News’ Matt Belloni:
There have been a lot of reported factors for The Late Show’s cancelation, including the new CBS head honcho blaming YouTube, where a lot of people have been watching either clips or full interviews. That’s exactly what Michaels pointed out. But that can really be said for any show as the Internet continues to take over. That being said, nothing is ever certain when it comes to a show’s renewal or cancelation… no matter how bleak or great things may look.
Things could always change a year from now, but Michaels doesn’t seem too worried. He revealed the chances of The Tonight Show and Late Night, and it seems like fans will be able to breathe a sigh of relief, at least for now:
It sounds like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers will be sticking around for a long time, which is definitely a good thing. It also helps that Michaels has a good relationship with the Comcast CEO. Both Fallon and Meyers have shown support to Colbert, as have other late-night hosts, and both of their shows do well. Plus, this certainly wouldn’t be the first time that Fallon was probably worried about a cancelation, as he’s been open about public criticism and bad press before, no matter where it comes from.
The television landscape is never the same, and things are constantly shifting, whether it’s directly behind the scenes or a higher power. Even though The Late Show’s cancelation has ruffled more than a few feathers and has made people worried about the future of late-night, there are likely other factors that go into it. What this could mean months from now is unknown, and the status of other late-night shows is hard to tell. If The Late Show is any indication, anything can happen.
