Former CBS late-night host Stephen Colbert told Jimmy Kimmel in a Wednesday interview that he has no plans to return to late-night television, months after his show was canceled by the network.
Colbert, whose final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert aired in May 2025, confirmed during the Jimmy Kimmel Live! appearance that he is not considering a comeback. The cancellation followed a decision by CBS and its parent company, Paramount, to end the program for financial reasons.
Colbert’s remarks came days after his show won six Emmy Awards at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, marking the most Emmys the program received in its 11-season run. The accolades followed the show’s cancellation, which Colbert has previously described as a career shift rather than a setback.
In the interview, Kimmel asked Colbert directly whether he misses hosting or entertains the idea of returning to late-night television. Colbert responded with finality: “Nope. I have an opportunity to not think about the news every day, and I took it.” He added that the experience of hosting The Late Show felt like “drinking a cup of poison” daily, comparing it to “being lowered like carbon rods into a radioactive pool every day.”
Health and career transition
Colbert’s comments to Kimmel echoed earlier remarks about his improved well-being since leaving late-night television. Kimmel had previously noted that Colbert appeared “happier and healthier” when the two met at the Emmys, a sentiment Colbert did not dispute. Colbert’s departure from the format has been framed by some observers as a shift toward a more balanced lifestyle, though he has not publicly detailed specific plans for his next professional steps.
The cancellation of The Late Show was announced in 2025, nearly a year before its final episode aired. CBS cited financial considerations as the primary reason for ending the program, which had been a staple of late-night comedy for over a decade. Despite the show’s critical success—including its record Emmy haul—network executives determined the program was no longer sustainable under current economic conditions.
Reactions and context
The interview with Kimmel provided Colbert an opportunity to reflect on his career and the abrupt end to his tenure as a late-night host. While he did not elaborate on future projects, his comments suggested a definitive break from the daily demands of news-driven comedy. The exchange also highlighted the broader challenges facing traditional late-night television, which has seen shifts in audience habits and advertiser priorities in recent years.
Colbert’s remarks did not address speculation about potential roles in other media formats, such as streaming platforms or podcasting. His focus remained on the personal and professional benefits of stepping away from the daily grind of late-night hosting.
For now, Colbert’s public statements indicate a clear departure from the format that defined much of his career, with no indication of a return to the airwaves in the near future.