In a stunning late-night drama, CBS’s abrupt cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has sent shockwaves through the comedy world — and now, some of late night’s biggest stars are stepping up to show their support.
Jimmy Fallon, usually just across the street at NBC’s Tonight Show, is set to cross enemy lines and make a surprise appearance at the Ed Sullivan Theater this Monday to stand with Colbert. Sources say other comedy heavyweights like Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver, and Seth Meyers will join him in this rare moment of unity, turning what should have been a quiet ending into a loud statement against CBS’s decision.
Kimmel, who’s currently on vacation, wasted no time blasting the network on social media, writing, “Love you, Stephen. F—k you and all your Sheldons, CBS.” Oliver echoed the sentiment, calling the cancellation “very, very, very sad news” and promising fans that Colbert’s story is far from over. Meyers chimed in with a heartfelt Instagram post, praising Colbert not just as a great host but as an even better friend.
CBS insists the cancellation is purely a financial move, citing The Late Show’s staggering $40 million annual loss and a hefty production budget exceeding $100 million a season. The decision came just days after Colbert took a jab at CBS for a $16 million settlement related to a controversial Trump interview, a move some speculate may have accelerated his show’s demise amid Paramount’s delicate negotiations with the Trump administration.
Colbert, 61, will bow out in May 2026, but with his fellow comedians rallying behind him, his departure feels less like an end and more like the beginning of a late-night revolution — one where comedy refuses to stay quiet, no matter the network.
