Late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel will air a rerun of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on May 21, the night of Stephen Colbert’s final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. ABC confirmed the decision to Variety, stating Kimmel’s show will air new episodes on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before going dark on Thursday. Kimmel’s decision mirrors his 2015 gesture when he aired a rerun to honor David Letterman’s final Late Show episode on CBS.
Kimmel will also appear as a guest on Colbert’s final week, alongside Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver, reprising their 2023 podcast Strike Force Five, which supported striking writers and actors. Letterman, Colbert’s predecessor, will also appear during Colbert’s final week. CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show in July 2025, citing financial reasons amid a challenging late-night landscape. The decision sparked debate, with some critics suggesting political pressure influenced the move, though CBS maintained it was purely financial.
Background Context
Late-Night Solidarity: Kimmel’s decision to air a rerun reflects a tradition of mutual respect among late-night hosts. In 2015, he honored Letterman’s departure similarly, reinforcing a culture of camaraderie in the industry. The Strike Force Five podcast, which raised funds for striking workers, further highlights the hosts’ collective support for one another.
Colbert’s Cancellation: CBS’s decision to end The Late Show in 2025 was framed as a financial move, but some observers speculated about political motivations. Colbert himself acknowledged the possibility in interviews, though no definitive evidence emerged. The network’s merger with Skydance Media, pending FCC approval, added complexity to the narrative, with critics arguing the cancellation could be seen as censorship.
Industry Shifts: The late-night television landscape has faced challenges, including declining ratings and the rise of streaming platforms. CBS’s financial justification aligns with broader industry trends, where traditional broadcast models are under pressure. Colbert’s departure marks the end of an era, with no immediate successor announced.