Jimmy Kimmel urges viewers not to watch CBS again once final Late Show episode is over

Jimmy Kimmel Jimmy Kimmel delivered a heartfelt message to Stephen Colbert ahead of his final Late Show episode, as he also insisted his viewers to stop watching CBS once the show is off-air 01:33 ET, 21 May 2026 Jimmy Kimmel will have his late-night program Jimmy Kimmel Live! go dark in honor of the final episode of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The 58-year-old ABC personality announced during his opening monologue on Wednesday, May 20, that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be "off-air" on Thursday night, May 21, "out of respect for colleague and friend Stephen Colbert," who hosts the Late Show. "I think that it is most important to congratulate Stephen and the team at the Late Show for all of the great work over the last five years, and all of the great work you will continue to do in other venues. I have no doubt," Jimmy added. Article continues below Jimmy then revealed how "everyone" who worked at the Late Show had been "very gracious" to him and his on-air side-kick, Guillermo Rodriguez, 55. "We never felt like we were competing against them. Was nothing like the old days of late-night," Jimmy shared, referring to the Late Show, which held the same late-night time slot as Jimmy Kimmel Live! over at CBS. "I loved being on Stephen's show. I loved having him here on ours. I hope we're able to do that again," Jimmy added before sending him a heartfelt message. "I hope he comes to visit as many times as possible, and on behalf of everyone at our show, we want to say to everyone at your show, it has been a pleasure to work alongside you," the television host said. Although Jimmy admitted he'd be watching the final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and encouraged his viewers to do the same, he also issued a directive for after Stephen's last show was over. Article continues below "I will be watching...I hope those of you who watch [Jimmy Kimmel Live!] will also tune into CBS for the last time. Don't ever watch it again, but watch [Thursday] night to wish Stephen and our friends at the Late Show a fond farewell," Jimmy stated. Stephen announced in July of last year that his show would be ending in May 2026, prompting many of his colleagues and fans to be outraged. Jimmy was one of Stephen's counterparts who reacted at the time as he reshared a clip from Stephen's show of him making the big announcement with the caption, "Love you Stephen. F--- you and all your Sheldons CBS."