“Love You, Stephen — Forget You and All Your Sheldons, CBS”: Jimmy Kimmel Slams Network Over Colbert’s Late Show Cancellation

On July 17, 2025, an ordinary night in late-night television erupted into a political and cultural flashpoint when CBS abruptly announced the cancellation of its flagship program, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” The decision, which included retiring the “Late Show” brand entirely by May 2026, shocked the entertainment industry, especially given Colbert’s status as the highest-rated host in late night.

Just hours after the announcement, fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel took to Instagram with a blunt, viral message:

“Love you Stephen. F— you and all your Sheldons, CBS.”

Kimmel’s post, both affectionate and incendiary, was more than a show of solidarity with Colbert—it was a pointed rebuke of CBS, and a rallying cry for comedians and critics who saw the move as more than just business.

The Announcement That Sparked Controversy

Stephen Colbert broke the news to his audience during a taping that Thursday, delivering the announcement with visible emotion during his monologue. CBS followed with a statement:

“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.”

But the facts—and the timing—raised questions. The cancellation came just three days after Colbert used his platform to sharply criticize CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, for settling a $16 million lawsuit with Donald Trump. The lawsuit, which centered on a disputed edit in a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris, had been widely dismissed by legal experts as meritless.

During his July 15 monologue, Colbert said:

“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.”

Three days later, “The Late Show” was canceled.

Political Fallout and Industry Backlash

The sudden move set off alarms among journalists, politicians, and Colbert’s late-night peers. Senator Elizabeth Warren openly questioned the network’s motives:

“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 appeared on Colbert’s show shortly before the news broke, echoed the concern:

“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—these were sitting U.S. senators, publicly questioning whether a major American network had silenced one of its most prominent political satirists for speaking out.

The Trump Settlement and the Skydance Merger

To understand the controversy, it’s important to 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 over a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris during the 2024 election cycle. Trump alleged the interview had been deceptively edited to portray him negatively.

Legal observers widely dismissed the lawsuit as baseless. CBS itself had previously called it “completely baseless.” Yet, the network settled.

The timing was conspicuous: Paramount was seeking regulatory approval for its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, led by David Ellison—a known Trump ally. Critics speculated that the settlement was less about legal merit and more about smoothing the path for the merger.

In this context—Trump sues, Paramount settles, Colbert criticizes, and “The Late Show” is canceled—the sequence of events raised suspicions of political influence.

Jimmy Kimmel’s Defiant Stand

Jimmy Kimmel, the first late-night host to publicly respond, posted a clip of Colbert’s announcement with the now-famous words:

“Love you Stephen. F— you and all your Sheldons, CBS.”

The reference to “Sheldons” was a jab at CBS’s reliance on safe, formulaic programming—particularly the “Big Bang Theory” franchise, which continues to dominate the network’s primetime schedule. Kimmel’s message was not just outrage; it was a warning that the creative community would not accept the silencing of dissent quietly.

Industry and Public Response

The backlash was immediate. TV producer Mike Schur (“The Good Place,” “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, Donald Trump celebrated 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!”

Veteran journalists and entertainers also weighed in. Former CBS anchor Dan Rather called it “a profoundly sad day for journalism,” while Jon Stewart called the settlement “paying off the mob” and described the cancellation as “shameful.”

Even some conservative voices acknowledged Colbert’s consistent ratings lead and his importance to CBS’s late-night dominance.

The Numbers Tell a Different Story

What makes the cancellation even more perplexing is Colbert’s performance. According to Nielsen and CBS’s own data, “The Late Show” averaged 2.42 million nightly viewers, leading the late-night field and outperforming both Jimmy Kimmel (1.8 million) and Jimmy Fallon (1.2 million). The show was also a digital powerhouse, driving substantial online engagement and ad revenue.

In short: Colbert was profitable, relevant, and still at the top of his game.

The Bigger Picture: The Future of Political Satire

Colbert’s exit is part of a broader trend. In recent years:

– “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” was canceled.
– “The Daily Show” lost Trevor Noah.
– Jon Stewart’s Apple TV+ show ended amid creative clashes over topics like China and AI.

Bit by bit, political satire—the kind that challenges those in power—is being squeezed out of mainstream media. What remains are reboots, reality shows, and safer, less controversial programming.

Media analyst Bill Carter summed it up:

“Late night used to speak truth to power. Now, it feels like it’s being told to sit down and shut up.”

What’s Next for Colbert and CBS?

CBS has yet to announce a replacement for “The Late Show,” and insiders suggest the network lacks a clear plan. Meanwhile, the Skydance merger’s fate remains uncertain, pending regulatory approval from a Trump-led administration.

Veteran CBS journalist Steve Kroft warned:

“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, sources say he intends to remain active in media—possibly through streaming or launching his own independent platform.

Conclusion: More Than Just a Show

The cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” is more than the end of a talk show. It’s a watershed moment when a major network appeared to choose silence over satire, and when one of America’s most influential comedians was taken off the air—not for failing, but for refusing to stay quiet.

Jimmy Kimmel captured the moment in seven words. The rest of America may take longer to process what’s been lost. But one thing is clear: late-night comedy didn’t simply fade away—it was pushed out.

In that exchange, we may have lost more than a show. We may have lost one of the last places where truth could still get a laugh—and make people listen.