Then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration put together a package of tax breaks and grants worth up to $15 million to retain “The Late Show” back in 2014, when David Letterman announced his retirement and the show was flirting with moving out of state.
That money’s long been spent with no mechanism to claw it back. Some state lawmakers aren’t happy about it.
“Why should we give them tax money if they’re going to close up shop here?” said state Assemblymember Tony Simone, a Midtown Democrat.
Simone’s district includes the Ed Sullivan Theater on Broadway, which “The Late Show” has called home for more than three decades.
The show received a $5 million grant and $10.3 million in tax breaks over the five years from 2016 through 2020, according to state records.
The grant was for extensive renovations to the famed theater as Colbert took over. The tax breaks, meanwhile, were through the state’s Excelsior Jobs Program, which covers a portion of employees’ salaries when a company creates jobs and invests in its New York operations.
CBS spent the grant as the state intended, overhauling the theater ahead of Colbert’s arrival. And the state paid out the Excelsior tax break incrementally as “The Late Show” maintained upwards of 200 jobs, the state records show.
The money came at a time when New York decided to spend big on late-night TV franchises.
The year before “The Late Show” got the state incentives, Cuomo — who is now running for New York City mayor — and lawmakers changed state law to allow NBC’s “The Tonight Show” to qualify for tens of millions of dollars in film tax breaks. In exchange, NBC agreed to relocate the show to New York from Los Angeles when Jimmy Fallon took over. It still broadcasts from 30 Rockefeller Center today.
“The Late Show,” meanwhile, didn’t qualify for the ongoing film tax breaks since it didn’t relocate from another state. Simone said he believes CBS’ parent company, Paramount, is cancelling the show because Colbert has been critical of President Donald Trump.
Simone said all of that should be enough to warrant a review of all tax credits going to Paramount, which includes millions of dollars for its other shows that film in New York. The Writers Guild of America, meanwhile, has called on state Attorney General Letitia James to investigate “potential wrongdoing at Paramount.”
“We know why it happened,” Simone said of the cancellation. “It's a chilling effect, and I think we should take our tax dollars back if they're going to cancel the show.”
Paramount has said that canceling “The Late Show” was “purely a financial decision.”
Ballot Box
This week we're wondering: Rep. Mike Lawler announced he won't run for New York governor in 2026. Who’s your dream candidate for governor, and why?
Last week we asked: Zohran Mamdani says he will now discourage the use of the slogan “globalize the Intifada.” Do you agree with his decision?
“Perfect can't be the enemy of good. This issue was hanging around way longer than it should have, and I don't think there's anything wrong with saying he would not encourage it because of how it makes some Jewish New Yorkers feel. If he was saying I think this is antisemitic, I think that would be different. He is acknowledging the meaning on both sides, and to me it just seems like he's implying that there are more effective slogans that can be used for this issue. I hope this will get more folks to feel comfortable supporting him, however I do not believe it was the sticking issue for most, and he's already running laps around the other candidates in the race.”
- Jalissa, Queens
“I think it is a thoughtful answer from a smart, thoughtful man. I am Jewish and could not care less about this. There are so many things to be concerned about in this city and I'd rather that Mamdani talk about those things instead. I hope his statement will put this to rest, but I doubt it will.”
- Lisa, Brooklyn
Talk to us.
Ask a question. If you're confused about something in New York politics, you probably aren't alone. Submit a question here. We may answer it in a future newsletter and/or on air.
Submit a news tip. Is there something we should know? You can use this form to share a news tip. You can also email our editor, Stephen Rex Brown: srbrown@wnyc.org.
7 headlines
(1) Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of Rockland County won’t be running for governor of New York. Here’s what he’s after instead.
(2) New York lawmakers are pushing for a bill that would ban law enforcement officers from wearing masks. Here’s the proposal.
(3) Zohran Mamdani is taking a break from the campaign trail with a trip to Uganda. Here’s why.
(4) New York state is settling a lawsuit filed by a former executive assistant to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo who accused him of groping her while on the job. Here are the details of the settlement.
(5) The country's largest health care union, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, is now endorsing Mamdani for mayor instead of Cuomo. Here’s why.
(6) Mayor Adams secured some endorsements of his own from several law enforcement unions, even though he’s now facing new corruption allegations. Here’s why they’re backing him.
(7) Adams also staged a clean-up of a Bronx drug market, but locals are worried about whether the changes will hold up in the long term. Here’s why.
