Full Breakdown
Jimmy Kimmel Offers Stephen Colbert Guest-Host Spot After CBS Cancels “The Late Show”
7/23/2026, 12:03:08 PM
Core Event
During his summer hiatus, Jimmy Kimmel extended an invitation to former rival Stephen Colbert to guest-host *Jimmy Kimmel Live* on ABC. Colbert declined the offer. In the same period, Kimmel credited the cancellation of *The Late Show* by CBS with delivering a “record-breaking” ratings surge for his own program.
Background & Context
CBS announced the end of *The Late Show* after 11 years, describing the move as “a purely financial decision.” The decision sparked speculation about political motives, given both hosts’ history of criticism toward the Trump administration. Kimmel, who has previously targeted CBS in his monologues, framed the cancellation as an opportunity for his show to capture displaced viewers.
Timeline
- May 20 – Kimmel’s monologue denounces the network that “pushed out” *The Late Show*.
- June 18 – Kimmel announces his two-month summer break and the lineup of guest hosts who will fill in.
- July 17 – Colbert’s final *Late Show* episode airs; he announces his departure.
- July 22 – Kimmel tells *Variety* that he asked Colbert to guest-host and that Colbert “politely declined.”
Data & Statistics
- *Jimmy Kimmel Live* averaged 3.15 million viewers in June, the highest monthly audience in the show’s 23-year history.
- Viewership was up 17 % from May’s 2.69 million average.
- The adults-18-49 demo rose 109 % month-over-month (0.37 rating vs. 0.18).
- For the full season, the show posted a 34 % increase in total viewers (2.62 million vs. 1.95 million) and a 32 % rise in the key demo (0.22 rating vs. 0.17).
Official Statements & Responses
He also linked the ratings jump to CBS’s removal of *The Late Show*, noting that “the ratings are very strong, which we are very grateful to CBS for their wisdom… We were doing pretty well before that, but that really helped.”
CBS framed the cancellation as a cost-cutting measure, stating the decision was driven solely by financial considerations.
Colbert, in his final monologue, reflected on his 1,800-episode tenure and described the program as a “joy machine,” emphasizing the collaborative spirit of his staff rather than commenting on the guest-host offer.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Of course, I asked him, and I think it feels premature,” — Jimmy Kimmel
- “The ratings are very strong, which we are very grateful to CBS for their wisdom… We were doing pretty well before that, but that really helped.” — Jimmy Kimmel
- “I think you know how I feel about the fact that they are being pushed out,” — Jimmy Kimmel
- “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,” — Jimmy Kimmel
- “It doesn’t matter if it’s the summer, I’ll gladly step aside,” — Kimmel. We
What's Next
*Jimmy Kimmel Live* will continue its guest-host rotation through the summer, featuring personalities such as Tiffany Haddish, Anthony Anderson, Colman Domingo, Rosie O’Donnell and Jelly Roll. No further invitations to Colbert have been announced.
