Kimmel steps aside for Colbert’s farewell as late-night TV nears end of an era

WASHINGTON, DC: Late-night television will mark the end of another defining chapter this month as Jimmy Kimmel confirmed that ABC will not air a fresh episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on the night of Stephen Colbert’s farewell broadcast on CBS.

Instead of going head-to-head with Colbert’s final appearance as host of The Late Show, ABC is expected to air a repeat episode on Thursday, May 21, following three original episodes earlier in the week. 

The move, first reported by LateNighter, was personally confirmed by Kimmel and is being viewed as a gesture of respect toward one of late-night television’s most prominent figures.

Kimmel’s decision reflects the unusually close camaraderie that has developed among late-night hosts over the years despite the competitive nature of network television.

Though Kimmel and Colbert have long been rivals in ratings and timeslot battles, they have also maintained a public friendship and mutual admiration that has only grown stronger during politically turbulent years and industry-wide disruptions.

The decision effectively clears the stage for Colbert’s final bow, allowing viewers across the country to focus their attention on what is expected to be one of the most-watched late-night broadcasts in recent years.

Echoes of David Letterman’s retirement in 2015

This is not the first time Kimmel has voluntarily stepped back during a milestone moment in late-night history.

In 2015, when David Letterman retired after more than three decades in late-night television, Kimmel made a nearly identical decision by declining to air a competing original episode on the night of Letterman’s final Late Show.

At the time, Kimmel openly acknowledged that he respected Letterman too deeply to risk diverting viewers away from the legendary broadcaster’s farewell.

That gesture earned praise across the entertainment industry and reinforced Kimmel’s reputation as one of the more collegial figures in late-night television.

The parallels are particularly striking because Colbert inherited the very franchise Letterman built.

The Late Show, launched in 1993 after Letterman’s dramatic departure from NBC, became one of the defining institutions of American television.

Colbert took over the desk in 2015 and transformed the program into one of the most politically influential and culturally discussed shows in the late-night landscape.

Now, nearly 11 years later, Colbert’s run is coming to an end under circumstances that have generated both nostalgia and controversy.

Colbert closes out an influential 11-year run

Stephen Colbert’s final broadcast will bring down the curtain on a tenure that reshaped CBS’s late-night identity.

When Colbert succeeded Letterman, there was widespread uncertainty about whether the former Colbert Report host could transition from a satirical cable personality to a mainstream network anchor.

Over time, however, Colbert evolved into one of the most dominant voices in late-night television, particularly during the Trump era, when political monologues became central to the genre.

His sharp criticism of political leaders, especially President Donald Trump, frequently drove headlines and viral moments, helping The Late Show maintain cultural relevance in an increasingly fragmented media environment.

CBS announced last year that the program would end for financial reasons, citing broader economic pressures facing traditional television and the declining profitability of late-night programming. Yet the timing of the decision sparked intense speculation within media and political circles.

The announcement came shortly after Colbert publicly criticized Paramount, the parent company of CBS News, over its settlement connected to the 60 Minutes lawsuit brought by Trump.

While there has been no official indication that Colbert’s comments influenced the network’s decision, the sequence of events fueled debate over corporate pressure, editorial independence and the changing dynamics between entertainment programming and political discourse.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the cancellation, Colbert’s departure represents the end of one of the last remaining network late-night programs that consistently shaped national political conversation.

Fallon to continue with scheduled broadcast

While Kimmel has opted to step aside, NBC’s 'The Tonight Show' Starring Jimmy Fallon is still expected to air a new episode opposite Colbert’s finale.

As of the latest reports, NBC had not announced any plans to alter Fallon’s schedule.

The decision highlights the differing strategies networks often take during major television events, balancing competitive programming concerns with industry tradition. 

Still, Fallon is expected to participate in the broader celebration surrounding Colbert’s departure.