The Uncertain Future of Late-Night TV
Jimmy Kimmel, a well-known comedian and host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, has expressed concerns about the future of late-night television following the cancellation of his friend Stephen Colbert’s Late Show series. In an interview published on Monday, June 1, Kimmel candidly shared his feelings about the situation, stating, “I feel a little bit defeated about it.”
Kimmel’s comments came after CBS canceled Colbert’s show in July 2025, which was described as a “purely a financial decision.” At the time, CBS’ parent company, Paramount, had paid a $16 million settlement to Donald Trump over a lawsuit involving his 60 Minutes interview. Colbert, who is 62 years old, criticized the agreement on his show, calling it a “big fat bribe.”
Colbert’s final show aired on May 21, marking the end of an 11-year run. Following the cancellation, reports suggested that the show was losing $40 million annually. However, Kimmel disputes this claim, referencing a New York Times article from 2023 that indicated Colbert was offered a five-year contract but chose to go with three instead.
“Am I to believe that over the course of those two years, they suddenly started losing $40 million a year?” Kimmel questioned. “These are just made-up numbers.”
Despite these concerns, Kimmel revealed that ABC has assured him that his show is still financially viable. “There are far more people watching late-night TV than there ever were,” he explained. “If you look at the number of views me and my colleagues get online every day and add in our linear-television ratings, we’re not just dying of natural causes. We’re being poisoned.”
Kimmel acknowledged the turbulent state of the industry, noting, “Everything is so tumultuous. That seemed to make sense. It’s definitely not how it’s gone in the past.”
The host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! recently extended his contract by just one year, rather than the usual three. This move has raised questions about the stability of late-night programming. Kimmel has also faced criticism in the past, including a brief suspension of his show after he commented on the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September 2025.
Kirk was shot by an assailant during an event in Utah last year, and Kimmel’s remarks about the incident led to backlash and a week-long suspension of his show. As for his own future in television, Kimmel remains undecided. “It’s important to me to be responsible,” he said. “I know I could go out in a blaze of glory and get a lot of applause for it, but it would be a very selfish thing to do.”
While the future of late-night TV remains uncertain, Kimmel continues to navigate the challenges of the industry with a mix of humor and introspection. His reflections highlight the evolving landscape of television and the personal sacrifices involved in maintaining a long-standing career in the spotlight.
