Stephen Colbert Stayed Quiet on ‘Late Show’ After Jimmy Kimmel Suspension

Stephen Colbert had nothing to say when major late-night news broke during his own taping. On the September 17 episode of “The Late Show,” the host learned mid-filming that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” had been suspended indefinitely, but chose not to address it on air, leaving fans and audience members buzzing about his silence.

Stephen Colbert Finds Out Mid-Taping

On Wednesday, September 17, Nexstar, one of ABC’s largest affiliate groups, announced it would be pulling “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” indefinitely. In a statement to Variety, Nexstar said the company “strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.”

On that same day, a “Late Show” staffer handed Colbert a smartphone as he was on stage filming, according to Fortune. As the late-night host, 61, sat at his desk, he read an article about Kimmel’s indefinite suspension to the studio audience, according to someone in the studio audience.

The audience member said, according to Fortune, “It was a mix of shock and bewilderment. Lots of gasps and dropped jaws for sure.”

While Colbert never addressed the suspension on the show, he did leave the stage for several minutes before making his return, per the audience member. When he returned, the audience member said Colbert “told us that while he couldn’t find any more public information, he would call Kimmel tomorrow to privately talk.”

Waiting for Colbert’s Reaction

While many celebrities have voiced their support for Kimmel after his suspension, many late-night viewers are eager to hear how Colbert reacts to the suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

Of course, this is because CBS announced the cancellation of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” back in July. After Colbert’s cancellation, Kimmel spoke out to support him, even paying for a billboard that urged members of the Television Academy to vote for Colbert for best talk series at the 2025 Emmy Awards.

The billboard may have worked, as Colbert won his first Emmy on September 14.

Fans Want a Collaboration

Colbert didn’t address Kimmel’s suspension on the air, but fans of his show would love to see the two late-night hosts join forces.

In an Instagram post shared by the show, one fan wrote, “hey bring @jimmykimmel on 👀.”

In another post, one follower said, “colbert & kimmel late night when and where,” while another added, “If Kimmel doesn’t walk out on stage to host tonight (after a red-eye flight) introducing himself as Stephen Colbert, then a big opportunity has been missed.”