immy Kimmel is encouraging his viewers to boycott CBS.
Jimmy Kimmel Tells Fans to Skip CBS in Fiery Stephen Colbert Tribute
May 21 2026, Published 11:49 a.m. ET
Jimmy Kimmel told viewers to watch the final episode of Stephen Colbert’s Late Show and then stop watching CBS altogether. He used his Wednesday night monologue to honor his longtime late-night colleague and criticize the network's choice to cancel the show.
Colbert’s last episode airs Thursday night, marking the end of his 11-season run on CBS and concluding the network’s 33-year Late Show franchise. Kimmel announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would not have a new episode Thursday out of respect for Colbert’s farewell.
Kimmel tells his audience to ditch CBS after Colbert finale.
“I think you know how I feel about the fact that they’re being pushed out,” Kimmel said during his monologue, according to Entertainment Weekly. “I hope the people who did the pushing feel ashamed of themselves tonight, but I know they probably won’t.”
Kimmel praised Colbert and the staff of The Late Show, saying the late-night community has changed from the competitive atmosphere of past decades.
“Everyone at that show has always been very gracious to us. We never felt like we were competing against them,” Kimmel said. “It was nothing like the old days of late night.”
Kimmel urged viewers to watch Colbert’s last show but emphasized that he did not want them to continue watching CBS afterward.
“Don’t ever watch it again, but watch tomorrow night to wish Stephen and our friends at the Late Show a fond farewell,” Kimmel stated.
CBS announced in July 2025 that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert would end in May 2026. The network said the decision was financial and not related to the show’s performance, content, or issues involving parent company Paramount.
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The decision faced criticism from entertainers and late-night figures because Colbert remained the ratings leader in late-night television.
AP reported that CBS made the announcement after Paramount settled President Donald Trump’s lawsuit over a “60 Minutes” interview while awaiting approval for its sale to Skydance Media.
Colbert had criticized the settlement on his show, calling it a “big fat bribe,” according to AP. CBS claimed the cancellation was based on economics.
Kimmel’s comments added to a week of tributes from late-night hosts and entertainers. Colbert’s final week featured appearances from Michael Keaton, Jon Stewart, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Steven Spielberg, David Byrne, and Bruce Springsteen.
ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! and NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon are airing reruns Thursday night during Colbert’s goodbye. This choice gives Colbert’s finale more visibility in late-night.
CBS will fill The Late Show timeslot with Comics Unleashed, hosted by Byron Allen. Allen has said the program will avoid politics and focus on comedians sharing stories.
Kimmel has consistently defended Colbert during the final stretch of The Late Show. The two hosts also appeared together this week during a reunion of the Strike Force Five late-night hosts, alongside Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver.
Colbert took over The Late Show from David Letterman in 2015. His departure marks the end of one of CBS’ key late-night shows and leaves the network without the franchise that Letterman launched in 1993.