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The rumor mill is swirling on social media that Steven Colbert has signed a deal with Netflix after \u201cThe Late Show\u201d announced its cancellation, but a closer look at the claims paints the true story.<\/p>\n
During Colbert\u2019s final show on Aug. 7 before his hiatus, the host referenced a Daily Beast story<\/a> on vice president JD Vance, who was accused of requesting the water level of the Little Miami River be raised for his family\u2019s boating excursion.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is such an insane, spoiled-baby emperor move that I have no choice but to break out my new character: Wittle Pwince Vance,\u201d Colbert said during the show, using a baby voice while wearing a mask of Vance\u2019s face with a crown. \u201cHear ye, hear ye, hear ye! I want my wiver waised for my birthday! Also, I don\u2019t like how bwue the sky is \u2014 paint it wed! Now, give me juice box.\u201d When a staffer handed Colbert a juice box, he whined, \u201cNot fwuit juice \u2014 apple! Kill him! Kill him!\u201d<\/p>\n Colbert then took the mask off and said, \u201cNetflix, call me. I\u2019m available in June.\u201d This joke, made a few weeks after CBS announced it would be axing \u201cThe Late Show With Stephen Colbert\u201d<\/a> in May 2026, became the foundation for the online claim.<\/p>\n According to Newsweek<\/a>, the claim circulating online stated that Netflix had secured a roughly $13.5 million, seven-episode deal with Colbert.<\/p>\n The speculation was amplified after Politico<\/a> and Bloomberg<\/a> wrote that Netflix Co-founder and Chairman, Reed Hastings, donated $2 million to California Governor Gavin Newsom\u2019s redistricting efforts.<\/p>\n Additionally, an X user wrote a false claim on the platform stating that \u201cTelevision legend Stephen Colbert has just signed a $13.5 million deal with Netflix for a 7-episode series,\u201d Newsweek added.<\/p>\n The post quickly went viral, racking up over 1 million views, 39,000 like and 1,700 comments.<\/p>\n However, a context note<\/a> underneath the X post read, \u201cThere is no confirmation that Stephen Colbert has signed a deal with Netflix\u201d and sourced the media outlet Netflix Junkie<\/a>, which said the claim \u201cis nothing more than a hoax as there has been no confirmation of such a project, nor any indication of Colbert\u2019s next move.\u201d<\/p>\nThe latest from MassLive<\/h2>\n