AceShowbiz - Stephen Colbert is set to host the final episode of The Late Show on Thursday, May 21, 2026, and in a show of respect, Jimmy Kimmel Live! will air a rerun instead of a new episode that night.

Jimmy Kimmel confirmed this plan during an appearance on Late Nighter, though representatives for his show have not commented further. This means that while The Late Show airs at 11:30 p.m., Kimmel will not compete live that evening, leaving The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as Colbert’s only major late-night rival that night.

Stephen Colbert took over The Late Show in 2015, succeeding David Letterman, and has served as its host for 11 years. The program has been a staple of late-night television, earning critical acclaim including an Emmy and a Peabody Award during its run. However, CBS announced the cancellation of the show in July of the previous year.

At the time of cancellation, CBS described the decision as "purely financial," clarifying that it was unrelated to the show's content, performance, or other considerations at Paramount, CBS's parent company. Industry observers speculated that the decision could be connected to Paramount’s ongoing merger with Skydance, led by David Ellison. Given Colbert’s frequent criticism of President Donald Trump, some alleged the cancellation was influenced by political factors aimed at smoothing the merger approval process.

Despite the competitive landscape of late-night television, Kimmel and Colbert have maintained a friendly relationship. Their bond appeared to strengthen following the cancellation of The Late Show and Kimmel’s own disputes with the Trump administration over controversial jokes. Last fall, they appeared on each other's programs to discuss the turbulent state of late-night TV.

The decision to air a rerun on May 21 highlights the camaraderie between two of late-night’s prominent hosts as Colbert bids farewell to his longtime program.