Jimmy Kimmel’s reaction to the cancellation of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert is not a surprise—because the rival late-night hosts have been friends for years. After Colbert announced the stunning news that CBS is axing his long-running talk show in May 2026,

The decision shocked Hollywood. Andy Cohen called it “a sad day for late night.” Lawmakers like Warren and Adam Schiff publicly questioned whether Colbert’s pointed monologues hastened his exit. For Jimmy Kimmel, the cancellation erases one of the few peers who match his mix of political satire and ratings heft.