“Love you Stephen”: Jimmy Kimmel publicly expresses his respect for the host of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

In a show of late-night solidarity that was as heartfelt as it was furious, Jimmy Kimmel took to social media to salute fellow host Stephen Colbert after news broke that The Late Show With Stephen Colbert would be canceled in May 2026.

“Love you, Stephen,”

Jimmy Kimmel wrote in his Instagram Story — a simple message wrapped in warmth, followed immediately by a not-so-subtle dagger aimed at CBS: “F— you and all your Sheldons.” Classic Kimmel — hugs in one hand, middle finger in the other.

The cancellation, confirmed by CBS as a “purely financial decision,” comes at a time when questions around political pressure and media consolidation are running hot. And Kimmel, never one to stay silent in the face of hypocrisy, made it clear which side of the velvet curtain he stands on. While the network insists the decision isn’t linked to Colbert’s content or his frequent critiques of President Trump, the timing — just weeks after CBS owner Paramount settled a Trump lawsuit — has raised more than a few eyebrows and maybe even some eyebrows’ lawyers.

This isn’t just late-night drama; it’s a seismic shift in the comedy-political landscape. Colbert has long been a thorn in the side of authoritarianism, poking at the powerful with the sharp stick of satire. That Kimmel would break protocol and directly call out CBS underscores what many in Hollywood are whispering: this isn’t just a business decision. It might be the business silencing a voice that’s become inconvenient.

Late-night loyalty cuts deep — and speaks volumes for The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

For Kimmel, Colbert’s exit marks more than the end of a program — it’s the loss of a crucial voice in American satire, a comedic compass during chaotic times. The two hosts, though on rival networks, have long shared mutual admiration and an unspoken alliance against political absurdity. Kimmel’s Instagram post wasn’t just personal; it was political theater in its own right, an unscripted monologue of protest.

What makes this public salute so powerful is its rawness — no press release polish, no PR cushioning. Kimmel said what many in the entertainment community are thinking but are too cautious to post: that Colbert, a top-rated and widely respected host, might have been benched not because of falling numbers, but because of rising heat.

As the curtain falls, the questions rise for The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

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Colbert’s tenure on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert will be remembered not just for its Emmy wins and cultural moments, but for its refusal to play nice with the powers that be. And now, in the aftermath of the cancellation of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, as voices like Kimmel’s and even Senator Elizabeth Warren’s rally to Colbert’s defense, CBS’s narrative is facing public cross-examination.

Whether or not the cancellation of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert marks the beginning of a chilling new chapter in late-night TV remains to be seen. But if one thing’s clear, it’s that the late-night community — Kimmel included — isn’t going to go quietly into that commercial break.

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