Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert Shows Canceled Amid Political Controversies, Network Financial Cuts

Late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert have publicly discussed their recent show cancellations and suspensions amid political controversies. Kimmel was indefinitely suspended by ABC after critical comments on the assassination of conservative personality Charlie Kirk, a move widely criticized as censorship, leading to protests and a surge in viewers upon his show's return. He learned of Colbert's cancellation while attending a protest against former President Donald Trump, and bluntly criticized the networks, saying CBS and ABC "don't have any balls" in handling the cancellations. Colbert's show, The Late Show, will end in May 2026 due to financial reasons despite strong ratings, with the network denying any connection to Colbert's recent criticism of Paramount's lawsuit settlement with Trump. Both hosts have expressed frustration with the corporate decisions behind their show's fates, highlighting tensions between political commentary and network management in the current media landscape. The public and celebrity outcry over these events underscores ongoing debates about free speech and political influence in entertainment.