Jimmy Kimmel Slams CBS After Colbert's Show Cancellation!
Jimmy Kimmel, June 2022. Photo courtesy of The White House. Public domain.
Jimmy Kimmel just blew up Instagram, and he didn't hold back. In a fiery post dripping with rage and defiance, the late-night kingpin reportedly torched CBS for axing "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," calling out the network with a brutal jab that had Hollywood buzzing. Forget polite condolences, this was a public gut punch aimed squarely at the suits behind the scenes.
A Shocking End to a Late-Night Era
The news broke during a July 2025 taping of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," when Colbert himself revealed that the show would end in May 2026 after a decade on air. The announcement stunned fans and insiders alike, with boos erupting from the studio audience, mirroring the host's own disbelief. According to PEOPLE, Colbert said he had only learned about the cancellation the night before, underscoring how sudden the network's decision was.
Paramount Global, CBS' parent company, issued a statement describing the cancellation as a financial move amid a challenging landscape for late-night programming adding, "It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount," according to USA Today. Regardless, the timing and context have fueled widespread speculation about political motives behind the scenes.
Jimmy Kimmel's Fiery Stand
Kimmel, who hosts ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live," wasted no time expressing his solidarity with Colbert. On Instagram Stories, he shared a clip of Colbert's announcement and added a blistering caption that left no doubt where his loyalties lie, saying, "F--- you and all your Sheldons, CBS," according to TIME. His pointed insult toward CBS and its programming choices, specifically referencing the network's fondness for the popular sitcom "Young Sheldon" and its spinoffs, was a bold public rebuke of the network's executives.
This was more than a casual comment. It was a family-backed, no-holds-barred defense of a fellow late-night titan. Kimmel's message resonated deeply with fans and peers, symbolizing a rare moment of elder statesman camaraderie in a fiercely competitive industry. It reminded everyone that behind the glitz and glamor, late-night hosts are a close-knit community, fiercely protective of one another.
The Late-Night Brotherhood Responds
Kimmel was far from alone in his reaction. Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC's "The Tonight Show," also took to Instagram to voice his shock and sadness. Fallon praised Colbert as one of the "sharpest" and "funniest" hosts in the business, adding, "I really thought I'd ride this out with him for years to come," according to USA Today. Fallon's heartfelt message highlighted the personal bonds forged over decades in the late-night trenches.
Seth Meyers, host of "Late Night with Seth Meyers," added a mix of admiration and humor, noting that while he would miss seeing Colbert on TV nightly, he was excited that Colbert would no longer be "too busy to hang out" with him, as reported by USA Today.
Other Hollywood heavyweights, including Adam Scott, Judd Apatow, Katie Couric, and Jon Batiste, flooded Colbert's Instagram with messages of love, frustration, and support. Even Anderson Cooper publicly expressed his sadness, praising Colbert's intelligence, humor, and humanity and saying, "I think the thing that so many of us love about Stephen Colbert is that he is at heart an incredibly decent human being, with an amazing wife and family and strong faith," according to USA Today. The outpouring of affection painted a picture of a community united in disbelief and defiance.
The Shadow of Political Interference
The optics of this late-night solidarity contrast sharply with the network's official explanation. Paramount Global recently agreed to a controversial $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump over a defamation lawsuit tied to a "60 Minutes" interview with Kamala Harris. The timing of the settlement and the cancellation has raised eyebrows, with many questioning whether political pressure influenced the decision.
Colbert himself openly criticized the settlement on his show, calling it a "big fat bribe" and suggesting the company sought favor with the Trump administration to secure regulatory approval for a merger, as reported by TIME.
Public officials like Senator Elizabeth Warren publicly demanded transparency, urging investigations into whether the cancellation was politically motivated. She tweeted, "CBS canceled Colbert's show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery," according to USA Today. She continued, "America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons."
A Moment of Defiant Unity
Kimmel's scorching words aren't just support for a friend; they're a rallying cry against the cold-blooded decisions gutting American television. As Colbert counts down to his final curtain call, one thing is certain: the late-night family is circling the wagons, and they're ready to fight. The question now? Who's next on the chopping block, and who's bold enough to bite back?
References: Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon React to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Cancellation | Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon react to Colbert 'Late Show' cancellation | Jimmy Kimmel References Epstein in Almighty Row With Trump
