Jimmy Kimmel and several other late-night hosts are giving Stephen Colbert a finale the late show ends after a shocking cancellation.
For those unfamiliar, the cancellation came after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount over its $16 million settlement with U.S. President Donald Trump during the company’s merger process.
On-air, Colbert called the agreement “a big, fat bribe.” CBS announced its cancellation shortly afterward, causing an outpouring of grief around the world.
Critics questioned the timing, although CBS insisted the decision was unrelated to politics or content.
Public criticism intensified as several late-night hosts rallied against the announcement, leading to Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show being briefly suspended after he hurled insults at Trump while speaking about the murder of Charlie Kirk.
Now, the end of Colbert’s show has been revealed as CBS announced in July 2025 that the final episode was scheduled for Thursday, May 21. Before its final episode, Hollywood bid an emotional farewell to Colbert, including Seth Meyers, Jon Stewart, John Oliver and Kimmel.
Out of respect for Colbert, Kimmel urged fans not to watch CBS after this the late show Ending tonight.
During his Wednesday episode, Kimmel also announced that his own show would be airing a rerun instead of a new episode in Colbert’s honor.
“We will take tomorrow night off in honor of our colleague and friend Stephen Colbert and the writers, producers, staff and crew.” the late showWhose last show on CBS airs opposite ours,” Kimmel said.
“I think you know how I feel about the fact that they’re being pushed out. I hope the people doing the pushing feel ashamed of themselves tonight. Even though I know they probably won’t.”
He added, “That being said, I think the most important thing is to congratulate Stephen and the team the late show For all the great work they’ve done over the last 11 years, and for all the great work they’ll continue to do in other places. I have no doubt. Everyone on that show has always been very kind to us. We never felt like we were competing with them. It was nothing like the old days of late nights. I always loved being on Stephen’s show, I loved having him on our show. I hope we’ll be able to do that again. I hope he will come to visit as often as possible.
Kimmel concluded, “On behalf of everyone at our show, we want to say to everyone at your show: It’s been a pleasure working with you. I’ll be watching tomorrow night. I hope those of you who watch our show will also tune in to CBS for the last time. Never see it again.”
After continuing his monologue, Kimmel quipped, “Okay, now let’s talk about the ***** that kicked them off the air.”
Meyers also spoke emotionally about the show’s ending, calling it “a very sad week for television in America.”
“My heart is broken,” host late night with seth meyers told deadline In an interview on the eve of Colbert’s final late show broadcast. “It’s very sad to lose a colleague and it’s also sad to lose the time slot. It would be one thing if Stephen were leaving and a young person was getting a chance to have one of these jobs – as someone who has experienced it – it’s very exciting. So in general, I think it’s a very sad week for television in America.”
“I’m also very optimistic that Stephen’s next chapter is going to be exciting for him and the rest of us,” Meyers said. “I think he’s been playing it slow for years as to what his next step will be and I’m very excited that it’s going to happen.”
Meanwhile, Oliver used the closing moments Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Praising Colbert while taking direct aim at CBS executives.
As the credits began, Oliver told the audience, “Please enjoy Colbert’s final show. He’s the best. Good night and good luck, Mom***********!” Mediaite reported that the sign-off deliberately echoed David Letterman’s jab at “the people at CBS” during a recent appearance. the late show.
During his farewell week, Colbert welcomed a series of high-profile guests and tributes celebrating his impact on late night television.
Stewart also appeared during Colbert’s farewell week on May 19, surprising his longtime friend with a pair of electric recliners and a special performance from Andra Day.
Reflecting on his own experience with cancellation, Stewart shared advice he received from David Letterman, “Don’t confuse cancellation with failure.” He then joked that Letterman said, “In this case, it’s also a failure.”
in the absence of Late Show with Stephen ColbertCBS is essentially renting out the 11:35 p.m. time slot. Release of comics with Byron Allen Will take that window in a time purchase model, deadline Reported last month.
despite the end of the late showReports suggest that Colbert is already moving on to new projects, including co-writing a future The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past The script.
