Jimmy Kimmel to Air Rerun in Tribute to Stephen Colbert’s Final 'Late Show' Episode

Jimmy Kimmel will air a rerun of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on May 21, opting not to produce a new episode in tribute to Stephen Colbert’s final broadcast of ‘The Late Show’, TheWrap has learned.

The decision comes as Colbert concludes his nearly 11-year run as host, with CBS canceling the show last year. ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ will air a new episode on the same night.

Kimmel’s move follows a longstanding tradition of late-night hosts paying homage to their peers. In 2015, Kimmel aired a rerun instead of a new episode to honor David Letterman’s final ‘Late Show’ episode. At the time, Kimmel urged viewers to watch Letterman’s farewell, saying:

“Please do not watch it. Especially if you’re a young person who doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about. Dave is the best and you should see him.”

Kimmel and Colbert have both faced criticism from the Trump administration in recent years. President Donald Trump has repeatedly rebuked both hosts, praising Colbert’s cancellation and calling for Kimmel’s removal over a joke about First Lady Melania Trump. Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr also threatened ABC last year over a joke Kimmel made following Charlie Kirk’s assassination, leading to a temporary suspension by Disney.

The announcement follows Kimmel’s appearance on Colbert’s show on Monday, joining peers Seth Meyers and John Oliver—all of whom participated in the 2023 writers’ strike-era podcast ‘Strike Force Five’. Former ‘Late Show’ host David Letterman, who hosted from 1993 to 2015, is set to appear on Colbert’s final episode on May 21.