Jimmy Kimmel feels 'defeated' after Stephen Colbert's cancellation: 'We’re being poisoned'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jimmy Kimmel recently shared his thoughts on the perceived decline of late-night television, admitting, “I feel a little bit defeated about it,” following the cancellation of CBS’s 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.'

The 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' host opened up about his recent suspension over comments about Kirk and his ongoing public feuds with Trump. 

Jimmy Kimmel reacts to Stephen Colbert’s show ending on CBS

Kimmel spoke about the future of late-night television in a new interview with 'Vulture' following the final episode of 'The Late Show,' which aired on May 21.

Looking at the sudden end of Stephen Colbert's run, Kimmel remarked, “In a lot of ways, I feel like I’m looking at my own future.” 

The network chose to drop Colbert's program in July 2025 before his three-year contract ran its full course, blaming budget constraints even as rumors circulated regarding the impact of his political commentary and the concurrent Paramount-Skydance merger. 

Kimmel cast doubt on claims that the production was burning through $40 million annually, pointing back to a 2023 'New York Times' report that Colbert was offered a five-year contract but decided to go with three.

“Am I to believe that over the course of those two years, they suddenly started losing $40 million a year?” he said. “These are just made-up numbers.” 

Jimmy Kimmel defends late-night ratings but accepts shorter contract

According to Kimmel, network executives at ABC told him “quite specifically” that his show is still profitable. 

“There are far more people watching late-night TV than there ever were, if you look at the number of views me and my colleagues get online every day and add in our linear-television ratings,” Kimmel asserted, adding, “We’re not just dying of natural causes. We’re being poisoned.” 

Despite the high online numbers, ABC only gave Kimmel a one-year contract extension instead of the usual three years.

Kimmel accepted the short deal because the TV business has become so unpredictable.

“Everything is so tumultuous,” Kimmel told Vulture. “That seemed to make sense. It’s definitely not how it’s gone in the past.”

Furthermore, when asked about retirement, Kimmel said he is not sure when he will leave.                                    

“It’s important to me to be responsible,” he said. “I know I could go out in a blaze of glory and get a lot of applause for it, but it would be a very selfish thing to do.”

Jimmy Kimmel explains his personal views on Trump’s criticisms

President Trump has continuously demanded that ABC fire Kimmel, particularly after a recent monologue joke where the host described Melania Trump as possessing a “glow like an expectant widow.”

Regarding that specific backlash and his previous controversy involving Kirk, Kimmel explained that his protection came from facts, noting he “had the truth on my side as a defense."

Still, he expressed concern about inevitably making a real mistake in the future, asking, "What if I actually do do something wrong? I mean, that’s inevitable.”

When discussing his perspective on the president, Kimmel noted that his feelings are rooted more in pity than animosity.

“I don’t love him. I don’t hate him, either. I feel sorry for him. He obviously didn’t get hugged a lot,” Kimmel said.