Jimmy Kimmel Says Those Who 'Pushed Out' Stephen Colbert Should Be 'Ashamed' as He Goes Dark 'Out of Respect' for “Late Show”

Brenton BlanchetThu, May 21, 2026 at 8:41 PM UTC

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Jimmy Kimmel; Stephen Colbert
Credit: Jimmy Kimmel Live/Youtube; Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty -

Jimmy Kimmel is saying goodbye to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Jimmy Kimmel Live! will air a repeat episode on ABC Thursday, May 21, out of solidarity for Colbert's final show on CBS

"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 Kimmel is wishing a "fond farewell" to Stephen Colbert before Jimmy Kimmel Live! goes dark during the final episode of TheLate Show.

During his Wednesday, May 20 monologue, the host, 58, reminded viewers that he'll "be off tomorrow night out of respect" for Colbert, 62, and his staff at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The CBS staple's final episode airs on Thursday, May 21, during the same time slot as Jimmy 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 at The Late Show for 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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Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert on Sept. 30, 2025
Credit: Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty

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 at The Late Show a 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 President Donald 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, during his July 14 episode over 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.

ABC announced on May 11 that 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's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon will 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's latest 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."

The final episode of Colbert's long-running program is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 11:35 p.m. ET.

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