What a strange thing to do.
Late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel is facing criticism after encouraging viewers to stop watching CBS following the final episode of Stephen Colbert’s long-running late-night program.
During Wednesday night’s broadcast, Kimmel addressed Colbert’s upcoming farewell episode and made it clear he was unhappy with the network’s decision to end the show. Kimmel even announced that his own ABC program would not air Thursday night as a gesture of support for his fellow host.
“I think you know how I feel about the fact that they are being pushed out,” Kimmel told viewers during his monologue.
The comedian went even further by encouraging viewers to tune into Colbert’s final broadcast — and then avoid CBS afterward.
Kimmel encouraged viewers to watch Colbert’s farewell episode, then suggested they avoid tuning into CBS afterward.
The comments quickly sparked debate online, especially among conservatives who argue that late-night television has become increasingly political and disconnected from mainstream Americans in recent years.
For many viewers, the controversy reflects a larger frustration with entertainment figures using comedy programs to deliver political messaging rather than humor and lighthearted entertainment.
Kimmel recently appeared on Colbert’s show alongside fellow late-night personalities Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon and John Oliver to discuss the changing state of late-night television.
During the discussion, Kimmel questioned why Colbert had been forced to defend the relevance of late-night programming in today’s entertainment landscape.
“Why should you have to defend late-night?” Kimmel asked during the segment.
The group also discussed the pressure facing traditional television programs as audiences continue shifting toward streaming platforms, podcasts, social media content, and independent online creators.
At another point in the conversation, Kimmel openly expressed frustration over Colbert’s departure and joked that he wanted to see his longtime colleague become more vocal about the situation.
Audience members responded with loud applause and chants supporting Colbert.
Meanwhile, former “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart also appeared on Colbert’s program earlier in the week, where the discussion turned toward politics and the national media environment following the continued rise of President Donald Trump.
Stewart argued that modern political coverage has become heavily centered around reactions to Trump, a trend many media critics say has dramatically reshaped television news and entertainment programming over the past decade.
The emotional send-off surrounding Colbert’s exit has reignited conversations about the future of late-night television, declining network ratings, and whether politically focused comedy still resonates with a broad American audience.
For many older viewers, the moment also highlights how dramatically television entertainment has changed in recent years, with increasing numbers of Americans turning away from traditional network programming in favor of alternative media and independent voices online.
