Kimmel Will Not Air New Episode Opposite Colbert’s Finale
Photos: Scott Kowalchyk/CBS, Randy Holmes/Disney
First on LateNighter: Jimmy Kimmel is bowing out so Stephen Colbert can bow out.
When The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs its ultimate episode on CBS Thursday, May 21, Jimmy Kimmel Live! might be darkish.
Kimmel himself confirmed to LateNighter that his ABC present won’t produce a brand new episode subsequent Thursday out of deference to Colbert’s sendoff. The transfer will mark a break from the present’s standard cadence, with the present set to air new episodes Monday via Wednesday subsequent week, adopted by a repeat Thursday as Colbert indicators off.
It’s a gesture with precedent. Kimmel made the identical name in 2015, when David Letterman signed off from Late Showopting to not compete in opposition to the ultimate broadcast of considered one of his comedy heroes. At the time, Kimmel stated he had an excessive amount of respect for Letterman to do something that may pull viewers away from Dave’s goodbye.
Colbert occupies a unique place in Kimmel’s late-night universe—not a childhood idol within the Letterman mould, however a peer and buddy with whom he has introduced a united entrance throughout late night time’s most turbulent moments.
Colbert’s finale isn’t just the top of his 11-year run as host; it is usually CBS’s farewell to The Late Show franchise itself, bringing down the curtain on a program that started with Letterman in 1993 and have become considered one of community tv’s defining late-night establishments.
At press time, Colbert’s different 11:35 competitor, NBC’s Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonwas nonetheless scheduled to air a brand new episode reverse Colbert’s May 21 finale.
That’s to not say that Fallon, who’s additionally a buddy and ally of Colbert, is lacking the farewell tour. He is ready to hitch Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver on The Late Show tonight for to Strike Force Five meeting. Both NBC late-night exhibits are darkish tonight so Fallon and Meyers can collect with their fellow hosts on the Ed Sullivan Theater earlier than returning with new episodes Tuesday via Thursday this week.
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