Jimmy Kimmel will air a rerun of his show to encourage viewers to watch Stephen Colbert’s final episode of The Late Show [1].
This gesture marks a rare moment of cooperation between competing networks in the late-night television landscape. By stepping aside, Kimmel aims to ensure Colbert receives a maximum audience for his send-off on CBS.
The tribute is scheduled for May 21 [1], which is the date of Colbert's final broadcast. This move mirrors a previous gesture by Kimmel, who provided similar support during the finale of David Letterman's career.
Colbert is concluding a tenure that spanned 11 seasons [1]. During this period, the host became a central figure in U.S. political satire and late-night commentary. The decision to air a rerun on ABC allows the audience to transition seamlessly to the CBS broadcast.
Industry analysts note that late-night hosts rarely coordinate schedules to benefit a peer. The act emphasizes a professional kinship over ratings competition for a single night. The move highlights the transition of the late-night era as long-term hosts exit their roles.
“Jimmy Kimmel will air a rerun of his show to encourage viewers to watch Stephen Colbert’s final episode”
The coordination between ABC and CBS reflects a shift in late-night television, where the tradition of the 'legendary send-off' outweighs the immediate competition for viewership. By referencing David Letterman, Kimmel is positioning Colbert within a lineage of late-night icons, signaling that the industry views this transition as a significant cultural milestone rather than a mere schedule change.
