Stephen Colbert show loses 500,000 viewers after CNN media correspondent Brian Stelter appears to discuss Chris Cuomo scandal – as brother of ousted 'sex pest' NY Governor Andrew is pictured in the Hamptons

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert saw a significant drop in ratings when CNN correspondent Brian Stelter joined to discuss colleague Chris Cuomo
Ratings show that Stelter's interview was Stephen Colbert's least-watched segment of the night
Stelter addressed the situation with Cuomo, who is currently on vacation from his primetime CNN talk show amid the scandal surrounding his brother, Andrew
Andrew Cuomo recently resigned as governor of New York following the release of the attorney general's bombshell sex pest report

Published: 02:58 BST, 13 August 2021 | Updated: 02:58 BST, 13 August 2021

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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert saw a significant drop in ratings when CNN correspondent Brian Stelter (pictured) joined to discuss colleague Chris Cuomo

The Late Show saw a significant drop in ratings on Tuesday when CNN's Brian Stelter appeared on the show.

Ratings show that Stelter's interview was Stephen Colbert's least-watched segment of the night.

According to ratings released by Nielsen Media Research, during Stelter's segment 12:15am to 12:22am segment, the show saw 1,375,000 viewers and 297,000 in the 25-54 demographic.

This is compared to the average of 1.9million viewers, with 375,000 in the 25-54 demographic, that the show usually sees for the same period on any other night.

2.6million people initially tuned in at the start of the show. Some likely switched off because they went to bed.

But Nielsen ratings for the show compared to its usual averages suggest that Stelter's appearance caused many who would have stayed up for the entire program to hit the hay.

Stelter appeared on Colbert to address the ongoing scandal surrounding colleague Chris Cuomo.

Cuomo's brother, Andrew Cuomo, recently resigned as governor of New York following the release of the attorney general's bombshell sex pest report.

During the segment, Stelter addressed the situation with Cuomo, who is currently on vacation from his primetime CNN talk show amid the scandal surrounding the governor.

Stelter described the Cuomo situation as being 'really complicated' and 'definitely awkward'.

'Some people are mad at him,' Stelter told Colbert, also noting that he could confirm that Chris had been in contact with his brother, Andrew Cuomo.

'By the way, I can confirm the New York Times report… I also have a source that says Chris was on the phone with his brother this week-' Stelter said.

Stelter (left) addressed the ongoing scandal surrounding colleague Chris Cuomo with Colbert (right). Stelter described the situation as being 'really complicated' and 'definitely awkward'

Colbert interrupted him saying: 'Is your source Chris Cuomo?'

Stelter answered: 'He is not, he is not. You've gotta have boundaries. You've gotta draw lines.'

Colbert then accused Cuomo of not having any boundaries, but Stelter rushed to his colleague's defense.

'I think he does, actually,' Stelter stated. 'I think Chris does, I don't know about the governor.'

CNN has banned Cuomo from talking about the sexual assault allegations against his brother on air and argued that his participation in the governor's strategy sessions was 'inappropriate'.

Colbert (pictured) questioned Stelter on CNN's handling of the Cuomo situation, arguing that 'it seems like an odd conflict of rules'

Stelter said that it was a 'management ruling' for Cuomo not to cover his brother's scandal, prompting Colbert to question the network's integrity.

'Well, then why didn't they rule that way when his brother was on the show pretty much every night during the COVID crisis?' Colbert asked.

'Yeah, I think it's really complicated,' answered Stelter.

Colbert responded: 'It seems like an odd conflict of rules.'

'It is an odd conflict,' Stelter affirmed, 'but I don't think- if we open up the journalism ethics book, there's no page for this. The craziest set of circumstances that you can imagine, right? A governor and a brother, both in these high-profile jobs. This is definitely awkward for CNN, though.'

Cuomo has taken a week-long vacation from his CNN show. On Monday he announced that he takes his birthday off every year and was 'looking forward' to the break, which will see him turn 51.

Cuomo was snapped passing a photographer a bottle of water in East Hampton Thursday, where he keeps a luxurious home.

Meanwhile, Chris Cuomo has taken a week-long vacation from his CNN show. He was spotted on Thursday carrying a large water raft at Sag Harbor Yacht Yard in the Hamptons

Cuomo was seen carrying a large water raft at Sag Harbor Yacht Yard.

He allegedly arrived at the boat yard with two children.

Cuomo was seen two days after his brother Andrew announced that he would resign as New York's governor in 14 days.

Andrew's announced departure followed a scathing report by state Attorney General Letitia James that found he had unlawfully sexually harassed 11 women and presided over a toxic workplace.

Andrew has denied any wrongdoing, although he said on Tuesday he accepted 'full responsibility' for what he characterized as ill-conceived attempts to be affectionate or humorous.

He will be succeeded by Kathy Hochul who has served as New York's lieutenant governor since 2015. She will be the state's first female governor.

Chris' brother, Andrew Cuomo, was spotted walking with his secretary at the New York State Mansion on Thursday

Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday that he would resign as New York's governor in 14 days. He announced departure followed a scathing report by state AG Letitia James that found he had unlawfully sexually harassed 11 women and presided over a toxic workplace

Hochul has said that she distanced herself from Andrew and the harassment allegations, saying it was well-known that he had kept her at arm's length during his tenure.

'I've not been in the rooms when this has happened and it is actually sickening to me to see this surface,' she said.

Hochul also vowed to oust any Andrew Cuomo aide who was named in the James report as being complicit in 'any kind of unethical behavior'.

'They're gone on Day 1, so let's get that very clear,' she said.