<\/p>\n
Jimmy Kimmel<\/a> said he offered his show to one-time ratings rival and close personal friend Stephen Colbert<\/a> after CBS pulled the plug on \u201cThe Late Show\u201d earlier this year. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Kimmel, who relies on guest hosts each summer as he takes a break from the show, told Variety<\/a> that \u201cof course\u201d he offered the gig to Colbert. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cI think it feels premature,\u201d he told the magazine. \u201cBut I told him, \u2018Anytime you want to host, it doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s the summer, I\u2019ll gladly step aside.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n With Colbert\u2019s show off the air, Kimmel\u2019s ratings have jumped as he enjoyed a record June<\/a> \u2015 and that led to a backhanded note of gratitude. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cThe ratings are very strong, which we are very grateful to CBS for their wisdom,\u201d he snarked. \u201cWe were doing pretty well before that, but that really helped.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n CBS claimed it canceled Colbert because \u201cThe Late Show\u201d was losing $40 million a year. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Many doubted that number \u2015 including Kimmel, who dismissed it as \u201clies<\/a>\u201d \u2015 and industry observers believe the network was trying to appease President Donald Trump<\/a>, who had repeatedly called for Colbert and other late night hosts to be canceled. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n The network\u2019s decision to cancel Colbert came as corporate parent Paramount needed FCC approval to complete a massive merger \u2015 approval that was granted just one week later.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n