Jimmy Kimmel Advocates for Shutting Off CBS After Late Show Concludes
Jimmy Kimmel expressed support for Stephen Colbert by urging his audience to refrain from watching CBS.
“Out of respect for our friend and colleague Stephen Colbert, along with the writers, producers, and crew of The Late Show, we will not be airing tomorrow night, as their final episode on CBS will be opposite ours,” Kimmel, 58, stated during the May 20 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Kimmel voiced his concerns about the cancellation of The Late Show.
“I think it’s clear how I feel about the situation and the reasons behind their departure,” he remarked. “I hope those responsible for this decision feel a sense of shame tonight — although I doubt they will.”
Later in his monologue, Kimmel commended Colbert, 62.
“That being said, I want to extend my congratulations to Stephen and the team at The Late Show for all their incredible work over the past 11 years — and for the outstanding contributions they will undoubtedly make in the future,” he mentioned. “I have full confidence in everyone associated with that show. They have always been kind to us; it never felt like a competition. It was nothing like the late-night landscape of prior years. I cherished my time on Stephen’s show and loved having him on ours. I hope we can do that again soon.”
Kimmel concluded, “On behalf of everyone on our show, it has been a joy to work alongside your team. I will be tuning in tomorrow night, and I encourage our viewers to catch the final show on CBS as well. After that, don’t tune in again.”
Following his remarks, Kimmel made a light-hearted comment about the situation, saying, “Now, let’s discuss the person who pushed them off the air,” referring to President Donald Trump.
CBS announced in July 2025 that The Late Show would be concluding, a decision that triggered immediate criticism. Network executives stated their reasoning, insisting it was not connected to the display’s performance or content but rather financial concerns.
However, some remained doubtful about the explanation, particularly as it followed an episode where Colbert criticized Paramount, CBS’s parent company, over settling what he termed “a nuisance lawsuit” filed by Trump. The former president, 79, claimed that 60 Minutes had misrepresented an interview with Kamala Harris.
“I do not dispute their reasoning [that it was a financial decision],” Colbert told The New York Times in an April interview when asked about viewers’ skepticism regarding the cancellation of his show. “I do, however, make light of it.”
The comedian approached the issue from both sides of the argument.
“I see why viewers might think (A) this doesn’t make sense to me and (B) this seems suspicious,” he acknowledged. “The network itself exacerbated the situation by yielding to the Trump administration regarding a $20 billion case settled for $16 million, which was entirely baseless.”
Colbert reflected on what caused his show’s close, saying, “It’s entirely feasible that there are two truths at play. The broadcast industry faces challenges. They struggle to monetize against competition from platforms like YouTube and streaming services. I don’t wish to argue with them about their business model and why it’s no longer viable. However, just under two years before they declared it was over, they were eager to extend my contract for years. So, something must have changed.”
He continued: “I prefer not to dwell too much on this issue. I have no intention of fostering a contentious relationship with my network.”
Colbert ultimately expressed gratitude towards CBS for their collaborative effort over the years.
“I have truly enjoyed working with CBS. They have been excellent partners. I want to conclude our relationship on a positive note,” he stated. “11 years is a significant period to be with them, and with nearly 10 more before that, I’ve spent almost 21 years in late night. I prefer to focus on being thankful rather than resentful.”
