Jimmy Kimmel Responds to CBS Cancelling Colbert’s Show
On Thursday night, Jimmy Kimmel expressed his support for “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” while also taking a jab at rival network CBS. This came just hours after CBS announced the cancellation of Colbert’s series in May 2026 and the retirement of the “Late Show” brand.
Kimmel shared a clip of Colbert’s announcement on his Instagram story, writing, “Love you Stephen,” followed by an expletive directed at CBS, saying, “Fuck you and all your Sheldons.”
After Colbert’s on-air announcement, CBS confirmed the cancellation, citing it as a “purely financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” emphasizing it was unrelated to the show’s performance or content.
The decline of the late-night format, largely due to the rise of digital media, has become a notable trend in recent years. However, the timing of Colbert’s cancellation has stirred speculation, with some suggesting it reflects self-censorship by media companies in relation to political pressures.
Interestingly, the cancellation occurred shortly after Paramount reached a $16 million settlement with Trump over a lawsuit he brought against “60 Minutes.” Many believe this decision might have been influenced by the company’s attempt to expedite federal approval for a deal involving Skydance Media.
Colbert, a vocal critic of Trump since taking over “The Late Show” in 2015, received support from various commentators and politicians. Senator Elizabeth Warren remarked that the cancellation raised questions about potential political motivations behind the decision.
TV producer Mike Schur also voiced his concerns on social media, suggesting that cancelling late-night shows to appease political figures undermines democracy. He stated that the essence of a functioning America lies in comedians being free to critique the President, warning that the influence of fascism hinders this freedom.