Stephen Colbert, the former host of “The Late Show,” made a comeback on late-night television by appearing as a guest on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” This marked his first late-night TV appearance since CBS ended his show earlier this year. Colbert received a warm welcome with a standing ovation from the audience, and Kimmel humorously likened his return to “a shark back in the ocean.”
During the interview, Kimmel observed that Colbert seemed happier and healthier now that he was away from the daily news grind. Colbert mentioned feeling relieved to no longer have to consume the nightly dose of negativity, describing his break from news as a refreshing change.
While Kimmel briefly touched on President Donald Trump and the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of “The Late Show,” the conversation did not delve deeply into politics. Instead, viewers got to see a more relaxed and playful side of Colbert, focusing on comedy rather than heavy political commentary that characterized much of his previous work.
The reunion between Kimmel and Colbert was light-hearted, with Kimmel teasing Colbert about his recent Emmy win for the outstanding variety series. They reminisced about past Emmy celebrations and shared a humorous moment about Colbert’s beard, which his wife disapproved of due to its scratchiness affecting their kisses.
Colbert also revealed his involvement in a new film project titled “The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past,” which he is co-writing with his son and Philippa Boyens. Despite not announcing a new television venture, Colbert joked about enjoying his newfound free time and flexibility.
The interview concluded with Colbert presenting Kimmel with a prop of the “Captain America” shield, adding a playful touch to the evening. After a decade of transforming political chaos into nightly humor, Colbert seemed content to take a break from the spotlight and embrace his role as a guest rather than a host.
CBS had announced the cancellation of “The Late Show” in May 2026, citing financial reasons. However, the timing of the decision, following Colbert’s criticism of Paramount Global’s settlement with President Trump, raised suspicions of a potential political motive behind the show’s end.