Colbert Stands United with Kimmel in Latest Late Night Tussle

A strong sense of solidarity is evident within the late-night talk show circuit, as Stephen Colbert publicly declared his backing for Jimmy Kimmel following the abrupt cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

"I am your host, Stephen Colbert," the 61-year-old humorist opened the Thursday, September 18, broadcast of The Late Show. "However, this evening, we stand united as Jimmy Kimmel."

Colbert proceeded to dedicate his full monologue to the unfolding Kimmel crisis, criticizing ABC for yielding to FCC chairman Brendan Carr, whom he colorfully characterized as an "individually wrapped hard-boiled egg available for purchase at the airport."

"Should ABC believe this action will appease the current administration, their naiveté is profound," he asserted. "This constitutes overt censorship. … When dealing with an autocrat, no ground can be conceded. Jimmy, my unwavering support is with you and your team."

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Further into the broadcast, Colbert produced the Emmy he had secured on Sunday, September 14, quipping, "Could you not allow me to savor this for even a single week? Really!"

"This entire affair represents the most recent and audacious maneuver in an extended campaign targeting media critics," he elaborated. "Trump has personally initiated legal action against ABC, CBS, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Des Moines Register, and even his bathroom scale."

As Colbert recited Trump's Truth Social message advocating for the subsequent cancellation of Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers' programs on NBC, distinct boos resonated from the studio audience.

Following the initial commercial interlude, Colbert jested, "Welcome back to The Late Show. Are we still broadcasting? It seems Brendan Carr has yet to view this evening's installment."

Earlier in the week, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was removed from ABC's schedule following significant public outcry regarding Kimmel’s remarks concerning Charlie Kirk. A network representative informed Us Weekly on Wednesday, September 17, that the program would be "preempted indefinitely."

Variety indicated that Nexstar Media had issued a threat to drop Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its broadcasting schedule, thereby precipitating ABC's decision.

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Nexstar informed the publication that its “owned and partner television stations affiliated with the ABC Television Network” would replace the show “for the foreseeable future,” commencing with the Wednesday broadcast.

The corporation stated its “strong objection to recent remarks made by Mr. Kimmel regarding the death of Charlie Kirk and will substitute the program with alternative content in its ABC-affiliated markets.”

Nexstar’s declaration referenced Kimmel’s Monday, September 15, monologue comments concerning Kirk’s September 10 fatal shooting and the accusations involving the conservative commentator’s alleged assailant, Tyler Robinson.

Kimmel, 57, asserted that conservatives had stooped to “new lows” by endeavoring to associate Robinson with extreme-left ideologies.

“The MAGA contingent [is] desperately attempting to portray this individual who murdered Charlie Kirk as someone entirely separate from their group, while also striving to garner political leverage from the situation,” he stated. “Amidst the accusations, there was also genuine mourning.”

Subsequent to Kimmel’s program being taken off air, an insider disclosed to Us that staff members at Jimmy Kimmel Live! were “originally informed the hiatus would only extend through the remainder of this week.” Nonetheless, conflicting information resulted in ambiguity regarding the show’s prospects, as “no one truly grasped the unfolding situation.”

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The situation surrounding Jimmy Kimmel Live! unfolds merely two months after Colbert’s The Late Show With Stephen Colbert faced an abrupt cancellation by CBS in July. Although some speculated the network ceased the show due to its host’s critique of parent company Paramount’s $16 million resolution with President Donald Trump prior to its merger with Skydance, CBS maintained in a contemporaneous statement that the choice was exclusively “financial” and “unrelated whatsoever to the show’s performance, its content, or any other affairs at Paramount.”

Kimmel was one of the late-night presenters who offered solidarity to Colbert once the news emerged.

“Love you Stephen,” Kimmel posted on his Instagram Story at that juncture. “Curse you and all your Sheldons, CBS.”

During his Thursday monologue, Colbert drew a clear comparison between Kimmel's current suspension and the earlier cancellation of The Late Show, pointing out that Nexstar is currently navigating its own merger, which is contingent upon FCC authorization. Nexstar had earlier that day refuted any suggestion that their choice to remove Kimmel's program was connected to Carr's statements regarding Jimmy Kimmel Live!