Late-Night Hosts Rally Around Stephen Colbert After Shocking Cancellation

In an unexpected move that has stunned both fans and industry insiders, Jimmy Fallon is set to cross over to CBS’ Ed Sullivan Theater to show his support for Stephen Colbert, whose top-rated late-night talk show, The Late Show, was abruptly canceled. Fallon, known for his role as host of The Tonight Show on NBC, is expected to be joined by a handful of other well-known comedians, who are rallying around Colbert following the shocking news of the cancellation.

Sources close to the situation have speculated that Jimmy Kimmel, currently on vacation from his own late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live!, will also make an appearance, along with other celebrity friends and comedians.

The Fallout from CBS’ Decision

The news of Colbert’s cancellation, which came without warning, has sparked outrage across the entertainment world. Kimmel, known for his outspoken nature, lashed out on Instagram, writing, “Love you, Stephen. F—k you and all your Sheldons, CBS.”

HBO’s John Oliver, host of Last Week Tonight, also spoke out, reflecting on how important late-night shows were to him growing up. “Late-night shows mean a lot to me, not just because I work in them. Growing up in England, I would watch Letterman’s show, which of course was Stephen’s show, and think about how glamorous that world was,” Oliver said. “So it’s very, very, very sad news. I look forward to seeing what Stephen is going to do next because that man will not stop.”

Support from Fellow Hosts

Other late-night hosts, such as Seth Meyers, also expressed their sadness over the cancellation. Meyers, who hosts Late Night with Seth Meyers, took to Instagram to pay tribute to Colbert, writing, “For as great a comedian and host as he is, @stephenathome is an even better person. I’m going to miss having him on TV every night but I’m excited he can no longer use the excuse that he’s ‘too busy to hang out’ with me.”

Reps for Fallon, Kimmel, Oliver, and Meyers did not respond to requests for comment.

CBS’ Official Statement

CBS has maintained that the decision to cancel Colbert’s show was purely financial. According to reports, The Late Show has been operating at a significant loss, with figures showing a staggering $40 million in annual deficits. The show, with a production budget of over $100 million per season, has faced declining viewership and diminishing advertising revenue over the past two years.

Industry sources speculated that Colbert’s cancellation came just days after he made public comments criticizing CBS’ parent company, Paramount, over a $16 million settlement related to a controversial 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. This settlement, tied to the Trump administration’s regulatory review of Paramount’s $8 billion sale to independent studio Skydance, may have played a role in the timing of Colbert’s axing.

The End of an Era

Despite the show’s decline in viewership, The Late Show has long been a staple of late-night television. Colbert, who has served as host since 2015, will officially wrap up his tenure in May 2026, marking the end of an era for late-night television.

Sources close to Colbert’s team described the cancellation as a devastating blow but acknowledged that Colbert’s resilience will ensure that his journey in television is far from over. “This is not the end of Stephen Colbert’s story,” one source said. “He’s a fighter, and we’ll see what he does next.”