Jimmy Kimmel is saying goodbye to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
NEED TO KNOW
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Jimmy Kimmel Live! will air a repeat episode on ABC Thursday, May 21, out of solidarity for Colbert's final show on CBS
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"I hope the people who did the pushing feel ashamed of themselves tonight although I know they probably won't," Kimmel said on his own show Wednesday, May 20
Jimmy Kimmelis wishing a "fond farewell" toStephen ColbertbeforeJimmy Kimmel Live!goes dark during the final episode ofTheLate Show.
During his Wednesday, May 20monologue, the host, 58, reminded viewers that he'll "be off tomorrow night out of respect" for Colbert, 62, and his staff atThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The CBS staple's final episode airs on Thursday, May 21, during the same time slot asJimmy Kimmel Live!, while ABC will run a repeat episode of Kimmel's show.
"I think you know how I feel about the fact that they're being pushed out. I hope the people who did the pushing feel ashamed of themselves tonight, although I know they probably won't," Kimmel said.
He added, "That being said, I think it is most important to congratulate Stephen and the team atThe Late Showfor all the great work, all the great work he will continue to do in other venues. I have no doubt. Everyone at that show has always been gracious to us. We never felt like we were competing against. It was nothing like the old days of late night. I always loved being on Stephen's show, I loved having him here on ours. I hope we're able to do that again. I hope he comes to visit as many times as possible."
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Kimmel then emphasized that "it has been a pleasure to work alongside you" and encouraged viewers to tune in for Colbert's curtain call.
"I will be watching tomorrow night. I hope that those of you who watch our show will also tune in to CBS for the last time. Don't ever watch it again," he said. "But watch tomorrow night to wish Stephen and our friends atThe Late Showa fond farewell."
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Kimmel moved into his next topic by joking that he wanted to discuss the "a--holes who forced them off the air," referring to "our dear old Uncle Scam," or PresidentDonald Trump.
Colbert announced in July 2025 that CBS had canceled his show in a move that the network called "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night." The decision came after Colbert criticized the network's parent company, Paramount, duringhis July 14 episodeover its$16 million settlement with Trump. Paramount was also in the middle of a merger with the entertainment company Skydance at the time, which required approval from the White House.
ABCannounced on May 11that Kimmel would be airing a repeat episode in an apparent show of solidarity with the fellow late-night host on Thursday, May 21. Kimmel has long supported Colbert following the news of the cancellation, even putting up a billboard in Los Angeles to encourage Emmy voters to vote for Colbert in the Outstanding Talk Series category in 2025. NBC'sThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonwill also air a rerun on Thursday night.
Colbert teased what fans can expect from his "simple" signoff and how he'd like the show to be remembered in PEOPLE'slatest cover. "I hope they laughed. I hope they felt better at the end of the day," he said of viewers.
"I mean, that's it. We're there. We're the last thing you see. A lot of things happen in a day, but we bat last, and so we get the last take that people hear before they go to bed, and I hope it made their day better."
Thefinal episodeof Colbert's long-running program is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 11:35 p.m. ET.
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