<\/p>\n
Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert made late-night history, trading guest spots in the first-ever crossover between their programs as both comedians navigated uncertainty about the future of their shows.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re doing something unprecedented tonight,\u201d Kimmel said at the top of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” \u201cTonight, Stephen is a guest on our show. I will simultaneously be a guest on his show. We thought it might be a fun way to drive the president nuts.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stunt came during a tumultuous stretch for the hosts. In July, CBS announced “The Late Show” would end in May 2026. Two weeks ago, ABC suspended Kimmel over comments he made on-air about the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.<\/p>\n
On Kimmel\u2019s stage, Colbert spoke candidly about learning of his show\u2019s cancellation. He said he was told by their shared manager, James \u201cBaby Doll\u201d Dixon, in what became a \u201c15-minute\u201d conversation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI come home two and a half hours later,\u201d Colbert recalled. \u201cAnd I walk into the apartment, and [Evie McGee-Colbert, his wife] goes, \u2018What happened? You get canceled?\u2019 I said, \u2018Yes, I did.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Colbert said he waited until after taping an episode to break the news to his staff, later recording a speech for the studio audience and viewers. \u201cI was so nervous about doing it right because there was nothing on the [tele]prompter,\u201d he said. \u201cThe audience thought it was a bit, and they started going, \u2018You can do it!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Kimmel said he was \u201cabsolutely shocked\u201d by CBS\u2019 decision. \u201cIt\u2019s their ball and they can take it home if they want,\u201d Colbert responded, prompting Kimmel to quip, \u201cThey don\u2019t have any balls, Stephen. Let\u2019s be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over on “The Late Show,” Kimmel detailed his own troubles with ABC. He said he was notified just 90 minutes before taping Sept. 17 that the network was pulling his show off the air.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only private place to go is the bathroom,\u201d Kimmel said. \u201cThe ABC executives say, \u2018We want to take the temperature down. We\u2019re concerned about what you\u2019re going to say tonight, and we decided the best route is to take the show off the air.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Initially, Kimmel said he believed the suspension meant the permanent end of his show. Later in the conversation, Colbert asked if he imagined the president of the United States would celebrate his misfortune.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat son of a b***h,\u201d Kimmel replied. \u201cI never even imagined there would ever be a situation in which the president of our country was celebrating hundreds of Americans losing their jobs. That, to me, is the absolute opposite of what a leader of this country is supposed to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
This week, Kimmel is broadcasting from the Howard Gilman Opera House at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, a short distance from Colbert\u2019s home base at the Ed Sullivan Theater.<\/p>\n
Episodes of both shows are available on ABC and CBS.<\/p>\n
Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. Eastern on ABC and is available to stream the next day on Hulu. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs at 11:35 p.m. Eastern on CBS and streams on Paramount+. Clips from both programs are also available on YouTube and each network\u2019s official websites.<\/p>\n