“Jimmy Kimmel ‘Cries Out’ at CBS for Canceling ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’! Kimmel’s Outrage Over CBS’ Decision: Is This the End of a Beloved Show?”
Late Night TV Faces a Political Flashpoint: The Cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
On July 17, 2025, what should have been just another night in late-night television morphed into a seismic event that sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and beyond. CBS made the unexpected announcement that it would be canceling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the network’s highest-rated late-night program, and retiring the “Late Show” brand altogether by May 2026. This news was shocking enough, but the real drama unfolded just hours later when fellow comedian Jimmy Kimmel posted a searing seven-word Instagram story that went viral: “Love you Stephen. F— you and all your Sheldons, CBS.”
This comment was not merely a show of support for Colbert; it was a declaration of war against CBS. The sentiment echoed throughout the entertainment industry, raising a crucial question: Was this cancellation just a business decision, or was CBS succumbing to political pressure?
The Announcement That Lit the Fuse
Stephen Colbert broke the news to his audience during a live taping, confirming that The Late Show would conclude its run in the spring. He appeared emotional yet composed as he delivered the update in his nightly monologue. CBS quickly released a statement asserting, “This is a purely financial decision amid a difficult late-night landscape. It has nothing to do with the show’s performance, content, or any external political factors.”
Yet, the timing raised eyebrows. Just three days earlier, Colbert had used his platform to vehemently criticize CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, for settling a $16 million lawsuit with Donald Trump. The lawsuit, stemming from a disputed edit in a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, had been widely dismissed as frivolous.
Colbert didn’t hold back during his July 15 monologue, stating, “As someone who has always been proud to work for this network, I find it offensive. I don’t know what could possibly restore my faith in this company… but hey, maybe 16 million bucks will help.” Just three days later, The Late Show was canceled.
A Pattern Too Clear to Ignore?
The abrupt cancellation raised alarms among journalists, politicians, and fellow late-night hosts. Senator Elizabeth Warren was quick to label it political retaliation, tweeting, “CBS canceled Colbert’s show just three days after he criticized Paramount’s $16 million settlement with Trump—a deal that looks like a payoff. America deserves to know if this was canceled for political reasons.” Senator Adam Schiff, who had recently appeared on The Late Show, echoed her sentiment, insisting, “If Paramount and CBS ended The Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And they deserve better.”
These were not fringe voices; they were sitting U.S. senators questioning whether a major American network had silenced one of its most trusted political satirists for speaking out.
What Was the Trump Settlement Really About?
To grasp the full scope of the controversy, one must revisit the details of the Paramount–Trump legal dispute. On July 2, Paramount Global agreed to pay $16 million to settle Trump’s defamation suit regarding a 60 Minutes interview aired during the 2024 election cycle. Trump claimed the interview with Kamala Harris had been deceptively edited to portray him negatively. Legal analysts deemed the case “laughable,” and CBS had previously dismissed it as “completely baseless.” Yet, the network chose to settle.
Why? The timing of the settlement coincided with Paramount’s desperate bid for regulatory approval of its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media—a deal reportedly supported by David Ellison, son of Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison and a known Trump ally. In short: Trump sues, Paramount settles, Trump celebrates, and then Colbert is canceled days later. Even if the events are not directly causal, the sequence is damning.
Jimmy Kimmel Breaks the Silence
Among late-night hosts, Jimmy Kimmel was the first to respond publicly, and he didn’t hold back. Posting Colbert’s announcement clip on Instagram, Kimmel wrote, “Love you Stephen. F— you and all your Sheldons, CBS.” The jab at “Sheldons” likely referred to CBS’s over-reliance on safer, formulaic content like The Big Bang Theory, which continues to dominate its primetime lineup.
Kimmel’s message wasn’t merely an expression of anger; it was a rallying cry for the comedy community and a warning to CBS: this will not go quietly.
The Industry Reacts: ‘This Is Bigger Than Colbert’
The backlash was swift and widespread. TV producer Mike Schur, known for The Good Place and Parks and Recreation, tweeted, “When media companies cancel late-night shows to appease fascists, America ends. If you think this has nothing to do with politics, wait 24 hours. He’ll brag about it.”
Indeed, within a day of the announcement, Trump gleefully posted on Truth Social, “I love that Colbert was fired. His ratings were low, and his talent even lower. Jimmy Kimmel is next. Greg Gutfeld is better than all of them!” While Trump celebrated, former CBS Evening News anchor Dan Rather called it “a profoundly sad day for journalism,” and Jon Stewart described the moment as “shameful,” likening the Paramount settlement to “paying off the mob.” Even conservative outlets began to question the move, acknowledging Colbert’s consistent ratings lead in the 11:30 p.m. time slot and his role in keeping CBS competitive in late-night television.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
What makes the cancellation even more suspect is the data. Colbert was leading the late-night ratings with an average of 2.42 million nightly viewers, surpassing Jimmy Kimmel (1.8 million) and Jimmy Fallon (1.2 million). He consistently outperformed in digital clips and YouTube views, keeping The Late Show relevant in the streaming era. According to Nielsen and internal CBS metrics, The Late Show accounted for a disproportionately high share of CBS’s late-night ad revenue, despite the shrinking TV ad market. In other words, Colbert was profitable. So why cancel him?
The Bigger Picture: Is Late Night Under Attack?
Colbert’s exit is part of a troubling trend. Over the past few years, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee was canceled, The Daily Show lost Trevor Noah, and Jon Stewart’s return on Apple TV was cut short after creative clashes over sensitive topics like China and AI. Bit by bit, political satire—the kind that challenges power—is being nudged off the air. What remains? Reboots, reality shows, and safer, “non-political” programming.
Veteran media analyst Bill Carter put it best: “Late night used to speak truth to power. Now, it feels like it’s being told to sit down and shut up.”
What Happens Next?
CBS has announced no replacement for The Late Show, and insiders say no clear plan is in place. Meanwhile, the Skydance merger hangs in the balance, awaiting final approval from federal regulators—many of whom now operate under a Trump-led administration. Critics argue that this is the crux of the issue. Veteran CBS journalist Steve Kroft stated, “When the media starts adjusting its editorial decisions to avoid upsetting political power, that’s when the Fourth Estate becomes the Fifth Column.”
As for Colbert, he has yet to announce his next move. Sources close to his production team suggest he plans to stay in the media landscape—perhaps returning to streaming or launching his own independent platform. For now, what remains is a vacuum—and a warning.
Conclusion: A Moment Too Clear to Ignore
What transpired this week wasn’t merely the end of a talk show; it was a moment when a major American network seemingly chose silence over satire. The nation’s most outspoken comedian was taken off the air—not due to failure, but because he refused to remain silent.
Jimmy Kimmel articulated the sentiment in seven words. The rest of America may take longer to express it, but one thing is painfully clear: Late night didn’t die; it was handed over.
In that exchange, we may have lost more than just a show. We may have lost the last bastion where truth could still elicit a laugh—and still make them listen.
