With CBS’ sudden cancellation of The Late Show, Stephen Colbert’s decade-long tenure behind the desk will soon come to a close. After 20 years as one of television’s sharpest voices, it looks like Colbert will soon have a lot more free time on his hands. Jennifer Aniston has offered a suggestion for how he might spend it — by joining her on the cast of The Morning Show.
On The Late Show last week, Aniston stopped by to promote the fourth season of her hit Apple TV series, which premieres this week. She discussed what’s to come for her character, Alex Levy, and teased new additions to the ever-expanding, star-studded ensemble cast. Season 4 will introduce Jeremy Irons as Alex’s father, and Marion Cotillard as the network’s new board president. As for what’s next, Aniston told him she’s hoping for a fifth season. Colbert quipped, “Any fancy casting opportunities there for anybody?”
Colbert Auditions for The Morning Show Season 5 Live on The Late Show
As a matter of fact, she revealed to him that they’d begun to do some preliminary casting in hopeful anticipation of a fifth season, and it seemed Aniston had someone specific in mind. She told the audience, “You know he was an actor, right? A really brilliant actor.” And she’s right: though he doesn’t have a ton of credits under his belt, Colbert played the surreal straight man on an absurd sitcom called Strangers With Candy, and for years on The Colbert Show, he played a satirical political pundit with remarkable commitment. Dramatic acting might be the perfect pivot for him. Aniston turned to Colbert and continued, “So I just thought, why not? You’re not going to be free next year. Starting in June, you’re avail?” He joked about the logistics of traveling to Los Angeles for an audition, but Aniston told him not to worry — they could take care of that right then and there.
With the audience already buzzing about the idea of Colbert joining the cast, Aniston whipped out a script, eager to get Colbert’s audition on tape. “I figure we’ve got cameras — these are rolling, right?” She started with the scene heading: “Interior. Day. UBN Studios. A middle-aged man enters—just picture a Steve Carell type. But because he’s already been on The Morning Show…someone slightly sexier.” Colbert read for the role of Jeremiah Cloudson-Storm, UBN’s new weatherman, who, in true Morning Show fashion, was brought in after being in space and then exploded on reentry. The scene continued with a deadpan delivery from Colbert, “I had the number one late-night weather show, ’til the network cancelled it.” The tongue-in-cheek joke was enough to make Colbert crack a smile. They sealed the scene with a firm handshake and a warm welcome to UBN.
Colbert Has Already Taken a Role Reminiscent of His Real Life
Stephen Colbert smiling behind his desk on The Colbert Report
Credit: Image via Paramount Media Networks
Sure, the audition may have been a goofy bit, but it’s not a bad idea, right? A role on The Morning Show mimicking recent events would be an inspired next step for Colbert when he wraps up his time on The Late Show. Or perhaps he could play someone similar to the beloved satirical ultra-conservative pundit character he played on The Colbert Report. He’s already making strides in this direction, as it was announced recently he would be guest-starring as fictional late-night host, Scotty Bristol, on season 3 of the CBS crime procedural, Elsbeth.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will come to a close in May 2026, and fans are already eagerly awaiting his next move. He’s been a beloved host for 20 years, and audiences were stunned by CBS’s decision to cancel his show. The cancellation came just after Colbert criticized Paramount (CBS’s parent company) for its $16 million legal settlement with Donald Trump, prompting speculation that the termination may have been politically motivated. Colbert, however, continues to approach the situation with humor, as evidenced by the bit he did with Aniston. And although the little skit was clearly a bit, we shouldn’t be surprised if we see Colbert pop up in Season 5 of The Morning Show, he could certainly play the part of Jeremiah Cloudson-Storm to perfection!