Jimmy Kimmel urged fans not to tune into CBS after The Late Show comes to an end tonight. On Wednesday night’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, the host reminded his audience that there would not be a new show airing in honor of his friend Stephen Colbert.
“We will be off tomorrow night, out of respect for our colleague and friend Stephen Colbert, and the writers, producers, and staff and crew at The Late Show, whose final show on CBS airs opposite ours,” Kimmel said. “I think you know how I feel about the fact that they’re being pushed out. I hope the people who did the pushing feel ashamed of themselves tonight—although I know they probably won’t.”
He continued, “That being said, I think it is most important to congratulate Stephen and the team
at The Late Show for all the great work over the last 11 years—and all the great work they will continue to do in other venues. I have no doubt. Everyone at that show has always been very gracious to us. We never felt like we were competing against them. It was nothing like the old days of late night. I always loved being on Stephen’s show, I loved having him on ours. I hope we’re able to do that again. I hope he comes to visit as many times as possible.”
Kimmel concluded, “On behalf of everyone at our show, we want to say to everyone at your show: It has been a pleasure to work alongside you. I will be watching tomorrow night. I hope that those of you who watch our show will also tune in to CBS for the last time. Don’t ever watch it again.”
After he continued he monologue, Kimmel quipped, “Okay, now let’s talk about the asshole who forced them off the air.”
The Late Show was cancelled last July after CBS and its parent company Paramount settled a $16 million lawsuit with Donald Trump. At the time, Colbert dubbed the settlement on air as “a big fat bribe.” CBS cited the decision to end The Late Show as a “financial one” and said it was not related to the issues at Paramount. However, it was speculated that Paramount pulled the plug to curry favor with Trump and the FCC to ensure a merger between Paramount and Skydance went through.
The final episode of The Late Show will air tonight, May 21. Jimmy Kimmel Live will air a rerun opposite the finale, as will The Tonight Show.
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