Jimmy Kimmel has jokingly thanked CBS for helping strengthen his ratings after the network ended The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Speaking to Variety, Kimmel sarcastically praised the network’s “wisdom” while saying his own numbers were strong.
Kimmel also revealed that he invited Colbert to guest-host Jimmy Kimmel Live! during his summer break. The offer showed personal support for a fellow late-night host while allowing Kimmel to criticize a network decision that continues to divide the television industry.
Stephen Colbert’s Late Show Exit
CBS announced that The Late Show would end, bringing Colbert’s long run as host to a close. The network described the cancellation as a financial decision made against a difficult backdrop for late-night television. Colbert’s program had remained culturally prominent, so the decision immediately generated questions about costs, declining industry revenue and whether other considerations had influenced the network.
Jimmy Kimmel Questions CBS
Kimmel was among the public figures who questioned CBS’ stated reasoning. Critics noted that Colbert had regularly attacked President Donald Trump and that CBS parent Paramount was navigating a major corporate merger requiring regulatory approval. No publicly released evidence proves that political pressure caused the cancellation. Kimmel’s remarks reflect suspicion shared by several entertainers, not an established finding about what CBS executives privately intended.
Jimmy Kimmel Invites Stephen Colbert
Kimmel said he asked Colbert to take over Jimmy Kimmel Live! during the program’s summer guest-host period. He even offered to step aside at another time if Colbert later became interested. The invitation would have placed the former CBS host on a competing network and attracted significant attention. It also provided Colbert with a public reminder that his late-night colleagues continued to value his voice after his show ended.
Stephen Colbert Declines for Now
According to Kimmel, Colbert declined because accepting the invitation felt premature. His final Late Show broadcast had aired only months earlier, leaving little time to decide what should come next. Kimmel did not interpret the answer as a permanent rejection. He said the invitation would remain available whenever Colbert felt ready, whether during the summer rotation or on another date requiring Kimmel to leave his own hosting chair.
Jimmy Kimmel and Late-Night Support
Kimmel was not alone in criticizing the cancellation. David Letterman returned to The Late Show near the end of Colbert’s run and expressed anger about the decision. Other television personalities also questioned the state of late-night programming and the pressures facing hosts who frequently criticize political leaders. Their reactions turned Colbert’s departure into a wider discussion about corporate ownership, creative independence and the financial future of traditional television comedy.
Jimmy Kimmel Jokes About Ratings
Kimmel’s comment about stronger ratings was designed as a taunt rather than a detailed financial analysis. The disappearance of a major rival can redistribute audiences, guests and media attention among the remaining programs. However, one period of improved viewing does not guarantee long-term growth for late-night television. Streaming habits, production expenses and advertising changes continue to affect the entire format, including Kimmel’s own ABC program.
Jimmy Kimmel Keeps the Invitation Open
Colbert has not announced a permanent return to late-night television, but Kimmel has made clear that a guest-hosting opportunity remains available. The exchange combines genuine friendship with competitive television humor. Kimmel used the moment to promote his own show, question CBS and support a colleague. Whether Colbert eventually accepts may depend on his next project and how much distance he wants from the abrupt end of The Late Show.
Featured Image: By Pete Souza – https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2015/03/13/mean-tweets-president-obama-edition, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66651461
By Montclair Film Festival – https://www.flickr.com/photos/montclairfilmfest/26704793996/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48497651
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