Jimmy Kimmel Slams CBS Over Colbert Show Exit
Jimmy Kimmel is not holding back. Following the bombshell news that CBS will officially end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026, Kimmel made his feelings crystal clear, and they’re as heartfelt as they are fiery.
In a pointed Instagram story posted just hours after the announcement, Kimmel wrote, “Love you, Stephen. F*** you and all your Sheldons, CBS.”
It was a rare moment of blunt camaraderie between late-night rivals, sparked by what Kimmel and many others see as an unfortunate loss for television.
The Jimmy Kimmel Live host’s jab at “your Sheldons” is a thinly veiled swipe at CBS’s growing obsession with spin-offs of The Big Bang Theory, a lineup that seems to be expanding even as the network shutters one of its most respected late-night institutions.
Kimmel Calls Out CBS After Late Show Cancellation Announcement
On July 17, CBS let us know that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end after the 2025 - 2026 broadcast season.
In a statement released with Paramount, the network insisted the decision was “purely financial,” citing broader struggles across late-night programming.
It was a bittersweet announcement, especially since Colbert isn’t being replaced at all. “This is all just going away,” Colbert said during Thursday’s taping, visibly emotional as he broke the news to his audience.
His comment was met with loud boos and groans from the crowd, a visceral reaction that mirrored the dismay of longtime fans and fellow comedians alike.
Kimmel Lashes Out at CBS’s Strategy
Kimmel’s sharply worded response is more than just a show of support. It’s a commentary on what he sees as a short-sighted business decision.
While CBS doubles down on safer, more scripted sitcom content, Kimmel appears to be questioning the network’s commitment to bold, thoughtful programming like Colbert’s.
His mention of “Sheldons” wasn’t random. It referenced CBS’s increasing focus on The Big Bang Theory universe, which already includes Young Sheldon and Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage, and will soon welcome yet another spin-off: Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.
Kimmel’s post suggests frustration that late-night comedy, a genre with historic roots and political relevance, is being sacrificed for franchise comfort food.
Stephen Colbert's Legacy and Ratings Success
Stephen Colbert has hosted The Late Show since 2015, when he took over from the legendary David Letterman. Over the years, he’s carved out his own distinct space in the late-night landscape, blending sharp political humor with moments of deep emotional resonance.
Despite the cancellation, Stephen Colbert’s CBS news run has been nothing short of a ratings success. According to the latest Nielsen data, Colbert has consistently topped the 11:30 PM time slot, pulling in an average of 2.417 million viewers across his most recent stretch of episodes.
Notably, his was the only late-night show to gain viewers this year, a feat that makes the decision to cancel the franchise all the more perplexing to critics.
The Late Show Cancellation in 2026: A Sign of the Times
The Late Show cancellation in 2026 reflects a broader shift in the entertainment industry. With streaming platforms reshaping how audiences consume content and advertisers tightening budgets, traditional network TV is having to make tough calls. CBS framed this move as one of financial necessity rather than a reflection on Colbert’s performance or relevance.
Still, for fans and colleagues, it’s hard not to see this as a loss. Colbert’s thoughtful monologues, razor-sharp interviews, and occasional moments of sincere vulnerability brought something unique to late-night television – something that may not be easily replaced by sitcom reruns or franchise spin-offs.
Jimmy Kimmel's Colbert Response Speaks for the Fans
In the end, Jimmy Kimmel's Colbert response might say what a lot of fans are thinking: this one hurts. While Colbert’s exit will no doubt be graceful and heartfelt, the decision behind it feels more like a boardroom verdict than a creative choice.
Kimmel’s mix of affection and outrage captured the emotional confusion of Stephen Colbert’s show ending, not because it failed, but because it became too expensive to keep.
As CBS cancels The Late Show, we’ll undoubtedly hear more from Colbert, Kimmel, and other voices in the late-night world. For now, though, we’re left with Kimmel’s mic drop of a message: a little love, a little fire, and a lot of frustration with a system that let this moment happen.