Late-Night TV Shakeup: Jimmy Kimmel's Show Pulled Off Air and Stephen Colbert's Show Canceled
Late-night TV hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert recently discussed the unexpected shakeup in the late-night TV landscape. Kimmel shared his experience of being informed by ABC executives that his show would be taken off the air just before taping. Despite his initial shock and disbelief, Kimmel had to break the news to his staff and audience, who were all prepared for that night's show.
The decision to pull Kimmel's show off the air came after his controversial comments during a monologue, prompting ABC to put the show on an indefinite hiatus. The move sparked outrage in Hollywood, with over 400 celebrities signing a letter in support of Kimmel's right to free speech. Despite the backlash, the show eventually returned to the air after the Walt Disney Company announced its reinstatement.
Following the reinstatement, Sinclair and Nexstar Media, two major broadcasting companies, ended their preemptions of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on their ABC affiliate stations. This decision came after receiving feedback from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders. The show has since resumed airing on all stations across the United States.
The late-night TV landscape faced another shakeup with the cancelation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. CBS cited financial reasons for the cancelation, emphasizing that it was not related to the show's performance or content. The Late Show is set to end in May 2026 after 10 seasons, while Jimmy Kimmel Live! continues to air weeknights on ABC at 11:35 p.m. ET.