Jimmy Kimmel irate over Colbert cancellation, criticizes CBS ending 'Late Show'
The entertainment world is reacting in shock to CBS canceling its late night talk show "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."
After Colbert announced the news on his show late Thursday, July 17, Hollywood expressed confusion around the move and support for Colbert, who will be leaving his post after more than a decade at "The Late Show" in 2026.
Jimmy Kimmel, a longtime friend of Colbert, reshared the comedian's announcement on his Instagram stories, and the "Jimmy Kimmel Live" host didn't hold back in his reaction.
"Love you Stephen," Kimmel wrote, going on to seemingly mock the network for favoring safe sitcoms with a choice expletive. "(Forget) you and all your Sheldons CBS."
Jimmy Fallon 'shocked' by 'Late Show with Stephen Colbert' cancellation
Colbert's friend and the other Jimmy in late night, Jimmy Fallon, shared his sadness over the forthcoming end of "The Late Show."
"I'm just as shocked as everyone. Stephen is one of the sharpest, funniest hosts to ever do it. I really thought I'd ride this out with him for years to come," the "Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" host wrote in an Instagram story the morning of July 18.
"I'm sad that my family and friends will need a new show to watch every night at 11:30. But honestly, he's really been a gentleman and a true friend over the years - going back to 'The Colbert Report,' and I'm sure whatever he does next will be just as brilliant."
Seth Meyers 'excited' for Stephen Colbert to no longer be 'too busy to hang out'
Fellow late-night host Seth Meyers found a bright side to the news.
"For as great a comedian and host as he is, @stephenathome is an ever better person," Meyers wrote on his Instagram story July 18. "I'm going to miss having him on TV every night, but I'm excited to can no longer use the excuse that he's 'too busy to hang out' with me."
Hollywood reacts to Stephen Colbert 'Late Show' cancellation at CBS
Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis told Variety during a red carpet interview that Colbert's show cancellation was "bad."
"I'm excited that I will get to be on his show in about two weeks," she said ahead of Las Culturistas Culture Awards on July 19. "I've never been on his show. I really like him. He's smart and funny and a lovely human. It's awful."
Actor and producer Ben Stiller, a regular guest on Colbert's show, tweeted: "Sorry to hear @CBS is canceling one of the best shows they have. Wishing all the people who work so hard on that show all the best."
And in the comments of Colbert's announcement on Instagram, stars including Adam Scott, Katie Couric and Jon Batiste shared support.
"Love you Stephen," replied Scott. "I for one am looking forward to the next 10 months of shows."
Couric, a former "CBS Evening News" anchor, inquired for more details. "I am so upset about this. I need more information. We love you."
Another regular "Late Show" guest, Batiste, shared kind words: "The greatest to ever do it." As did Judd Apatow. "My admiration and appreciation for you is bottomless," the director wrote. "Excited to see what other brilliance you put into the world."
Anderson Cooper said he was "shocked" and "truly saddened" by the news shortly after the announcement on his CNN show "Anderson Cooper 360."
"Stephen Colbert is smart and he is funny and he has actual conversations with people on his program," Cooper said. "I think the thing that so many of us love about Stephen Colbert is that he is at heart an incredibly decent human being, with an amazing wife and family and strong faith."
Cooper went on the share a clip from his show interviewing Colbert, discussing loss. Cooper, who lost his mother in 2019, asked Colbert about his thoughts on the "gift" of existence, as Colbert had lost his father and two brothers as a child.
Politicians question motivation behind Colbert cancellation
Sen. Adam Schiff, a frequent critic of President Donald Trump who had just appeared on "The Late Show," immediately suggested "political reasons" were at play.
"If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better," Schiff wrote on X.
In a statement from Paramount Global, CBS' parent company, the company called the move "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount."
Paramount Global agreed on July 1 to a controversial $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump over a defamation lawsuit tied to a "60 Minutes" interview with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
The settlement was widely criticized as a financial concession to facilitate the studio's pending sale to Skydance Media, which requires regulatory approval from the Trump administration.
In response, Colbert slammed the deal on-air on July 14, following a summer vacation. Colbert, still sporting an unfortunate summer vacation mustache, called the infamous $16 million payment a "big fat bribe" in his scathing opening monologue.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, another Trump rival, also inquired about the possibility that the move was to appease the president's administration.
"CBS canceled Colbert's show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery," Warren tweeted. "America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons."
Contributing: Bryan Alexander, Paste BN