In a shocking and unprecedented moment on late-night television, veteran actor and beloved comedian Danny DeVito was reportedly kicked off the set of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert after a fiery and unfiltered confrontation with host Stephen Colbert.
The heated exchange, which took place during what was intended to be a humorous interview segment, left the audience stunned and has since sparked massive online discourse and speculation.
While both DeVito and Colbert are known for their quick wit, charisma, and often satirical humor, insiders claim the tone of their conversation turned unexpectedly confrontational—spiraling from playful banter into full-blown argument, resulting in DeVito storming off-stage mid-segment and the network scrambling to cut to an emergency commercial break.
Fans, critics, and fellow celebrities are still reeling from the moment, which one audience member described as “the most uncomfortable thing I’ve ever witnessed on live television.”
How It All Began: A Routine Segment Gone Wrong
Danny DeVito was appearing on The Late Show to promote his upcoming dark comedy film “Gravy Train,” set for release in September. The veteran actor has been a fan favorite for decades, adored for his roles in Taxi, Batman Returns, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Known for his bold, uncensored style and devil-may-care attitude, DeVito was expected to deliver laughs and classic DeVito charm.
The segment began smoothly enough, with Colbert welcoming DeVito to the stage with a standing ovation from the audience. DeVito, wearing his signature black shirt and glasses, cracked jokes about getting older, the state of politics, and even poked fun at Colbert’s “overly polite smile.”
“I swear, you’ve got that ‘Presbyterian principal’ energy,” DeVito joked, earning laughter from the crowd.
Colbert responded in stride, grinning. “And you’ve got the energy of a raccoon who just found a minibar.”
So far, so good—until the tone began to shift.
From Laughter to Lava: The Tipping Point
The tension began when Colbert pivoted the conversation to DeVito’s controversial social media posts earlier in the summer, in which the actor made several politically charged comments that drew both praise and criticism. Without directly quoting the posts, Colbert asked:
“So Danny, you stirred the pot online recently. Are you trying to moonlight as a political commentator, or is it just late-night wine tweeting?”
The question, while framed with humor, visibly irritated DeVito.
“I don’t need you telling me what I’m doing,” he snapped. “I’ve been in this industry since before you learned how to tie a tie. I say what I want. I don’t check with CBS first.”
Colbert attempted to laugh off the remark. “I’m just asking what the thought process is—our viewers are curious. You’re an influential guy.”
DeVito leaned forward. “Influential? Come on, Stephen. This show has as much influence as decaf coffee.”
Gasps could be heard from the studio audience, and Colbert’s demeanor shifted subtly.
“Well, this ‘decaf coffee’ show has given a platform to voices from every spectrum,” Colbert replied sharply. “Including yours—until about thirty seconds ago.”
The Clash Escalates: “You Want Ratings or Respect?”
What followed next was, according to crew members and attendees, a full-blown verbal sparring match that lasted over three minutes before producers cut the feed.
DeVito fired back: “You invite people on here to poke at them, act polite, then play high horse when they push back. You want ratings or respect, Stephen? Because I can give you neither.”
Colbert, usually unshaken, stood his ground. “You came on here to promote a movie, Danny. If you wanted a monologue, you could’ve stayed on your soapbox online.”
“I didn’t know you were going to try to corner me like a politician,” DeVito barked. “You’re not smarter because you wear a suit, man.”
At that point, according to insiders, producers in the control room began signaling for a hard cut to commercial. However, the live taping meant several seconds of the altercation were caught on camera, with audience members watching in horror.
Finally, DeVito reportedly stood up, pulled off his lapel mic, and threw it onto the chair.
“This show’s a joke,” he muttered, before storming off stage.
Immediate Fallout: Silence, Shock, and Scrambled Scripts
After the commercial break, Colbert returned alone, visibly unsettled but attempting to maintain professionalism.
“Well, folks, that was… lively,” he said, forcing a smile. “Let’s go ahead and move on to our musical guest before someone gets hurt—or sues us.”
The remainder of the show proceeded with a somewhat somber tone, and several pre-planned comedy sketches were allegedly cut from the episode before airing.
CBS released a brief, neutral statement the following morning:
“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert values spirited discussion but maintains expectations of mutual respect and professionalism from all guests. We have no further comment at this time.”
Neither Colbert nor DeVito issued personal statements in the immediate aftermath, although both became trending topics on social media for over 48 hours following the incident.
Public Reaction: Fans Torn Between Two Icons
As expected, the incident sparked a firestorm of debate online, with fans, media personalities, and celebrities weighing in on who was in the right.
Supporters of Colbert argued that DeVito overreacted to a simple question, and that the host had every right to address public controversies—especially ones the actor himself had initiated.
“Danny DeVito flipped out because someone asked him to explain his tweets? Come on. Colbert was professional,” one viewer posted.
Others took DeVito’s side, applauding him for standing up to what they saw as smug media elitism.
“Danny was raw and real. Colbert tries too hard to be clever. Let people speak without turning it into an interrogation.”
Still others lamented the entire exchange, expressing sadness that two beloved public figures had clashed so publicly.
“Two guys I love… watching them fight on live TV was like watching your uncles argue at Thanksgiving.”
Inside Sources: What Really Happened Behind the Curtain
Multiple insiders from the Late Show team have shared accounts of what happened backstage after the segment ended.
According to one producer, DeVito was approached by showrunner staff and offered a private space to cool off. He reportedly declined and left the building within ten minutes.
“He was still fuming. Wouldn’t speak to anyone. Walked straight out the back exit with his assistant,” the source said.
Another staffer claimed that Colbert, while outwardly composed, was also upset.
“He wasn’t angry—he was disappointed. You could tell. He’d been looking forward to that interview.”
There’s also speculation that the segment may be edited out entirely from digital replays and syndicated episodes, though clips of the incident have already spread across multiple platforms, making containment unlikely.
A Relationship Damaged? Or Just a Flash in the Pan?
Colbert and DeVito have shared stages before, including charity events and Hollywood panels. Their relationship, while never close, was said to be cordial and respectful. Whether this incident marks a permanent falling-out or just a temporary flare-up remains to be seen.
Representatives for both men have thus far declined interview requests, though rumors are swirling that DeVito is considering appearing on another talk show—possibly Real Time with Bill Maher—to “set the record straight.”
Final Thoughts: Comedy Meets Conflict
Late-night television has seen its fair share of dramatic moments—from walk-offs and wardrobe malfunctions to political rants—but few compare to the raw, unfiltered clash between Danny DeVito and Stephen Colbert.
The confrontation speaks not only to the pressures of live television, but also to the growing tension between celebrity freedom of expression and journalistic accountability. In an age where everyone is both a brand and a critic, even the most seasoned performers can find themselves walking a tightrope between charm and conflict.
For now, fans of both men can only hope that the dust settles, the jokes return, and perhaps, someday, the two will reunite—with fewer fireworks and more laughter.
Leave a Reply