CBS Might Want a Do-Over on That Colbert Cancellation After the Jimmy Kimmel Drama

September 28, 2025

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It’s been a hectic week in late night to say the least. On September 17, ABC abruptly announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be suspended indefinitely in response to backlash over perceived comments about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. What followed was one of the most high-profile company boycotts in recent memory. ABC relented, and Kimmel’s show was brought back on air on September 23.

If this late-night drama feels like déjà vu, it’s probably because CBS announced the end of Stephen Colbert‘s program just two months ago. Unlike Kimmel, Colbert’s exit was planned, with time to bid a proper goodbye. But fans were quick to point out that both Kimmel and Colbert’s targeting seemed to be in response to pressure from the Trump administration. The only difference was that Kimmel’s situation was far more blatant. ABC quickly learned that Kimmel’s fans wouldn’t stand for censorship, and that immense pressure was likely the driving reason for his return. Could the fan backlash prompt CBS to reconsider its decision to ax Colbert’s Late Show? Let’s look at what we know.

A Tale of Two Late Night Controversies

ABC

In July 2025, CBS announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert would conclude in May 2026. Colbert is not being replaced, bringing an end to the 33-year run of The Late Show — 22 years under David Letterman and 11 under Colbert. CBS claimed that The Late Show was not profitable, and the cancellation was purely a financial one. While it is true that the bulk of late-night viewership comes online the next day, viewers smelled something off. The axing came just a few days after CBS’s parent company, Paramount, paid a $16 million settlement to the Trump administration, which had accused the company of deceptively editing a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 campaign.

Colbert was one of many who criticized the appearance of outright bribery, as Paramount was also seeking FCC approval for its pending merger with Skydance. Fans began to question whether CBS had cancelled the vocal Trump critic to gain favor with the administration. The president didn’t help the situation by openly gloating over his critic’s firing. The timing and optics obviously support this theory. Colbert’s show was also the highest-rated among all the network late-night shows. “Finances” might not seem the most believable theory, but it’s a convenient excuse for the network to hide behind.

Explaining away the Kimmel suspension isn’t as easy. Nexstar and Sinclair-run ABC affiliate stations cited conservative outrage over Kimmel’s comments about Charlie Kirk as their reason for dropping him. Disney as a whole followed suit. All of this directly followed FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s remarks that some action needs to be taken regarding Kimmel’s alleged “sick” conduct. He even added a totally above-board “we can do this the easy way or the hard way” threat directed toward Disney. And of course, Nexstar also needs FCC approval for its pending merger with fellow local station group Tegna.

Bringing Back Colbert?

Stephen Colbert delivers a monologue on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

The Kimmel outcry was swift and brutal. Google searches for how to cancel Disney+ and Hulu accounts spiked during the week. More than 400 public figures signed a petition decrying the apparent censorship. Disney, Nexstar, and Sinclair eventually reinstated Kimmel and brought him back on air. Kimmel’s return is a testament to the power of people who won’t stand by as media figures are silenced for what they have to say. This raises the question: could this also save Colbert?

CBS must have noticed the backlash surrounding Kimmel’s exit, as well as the massive ratings his show earned upon its return. They could regain the good graces of the Internet if they restore The Late Show. While this is a smart business move, it may not be the most likely option. Kimmel’s show was only suspended, not officially canceled. It was easier to bring it back on air. That’s in contrast to Colbert’s show, which will officially end in May. There also didn’t seem to be as much public response to Colbert’s demise. There was a strong reaction at the time, but it seems to have faded. One potential reason is that we can still see Colbert on the air. Kimmel outright vanished, so of course, people would notice that more. And while there are definitely holes in CBS’s decision, a network late-night show no longer being profitable isn’t the most unbelievable idea.

In any case, there are disturbing parallels in both cases. Colbert and Kimmel, both vehement Trump critics, had their shows threatened or removed after the appearance of pressure from the administration. Disney did the right thing, and now the ball is in CBS’s court. Stand up to those in power, and show the importance of independent voices holding our leaders accountable. That’s more important than ever in today’s landscape. And if you think CBS won’t change its mind, remember that this is a network that canceled S.W.A.T., then renewed it for a final season, then ordered another season after that, only to cancel it again, and then finally picked up a sequel series. Anything can happen.