Jimmy Fallon Responds to Stephen Colbert’s Late Show Cancellation Amid Paramount Merger and Political Pressure

Jimmy Fallon, host of The Tonight Show, opened his Monday broadcast addressing the recent cancellation of his colleague Stephen Colbert’s long-running The Late Show.

“I am your host — well, at least for tonight,” Fallon joked, referencing the sudden end announced for Colbert’s program. He quickly expressed his disappointment, calling the situation “crazy times.”

The decision, announced by CBS and Paramount Global, revealed that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will conclude its historic run after the 2025-26 season. CBS executives described Colbert as “irreplaceable” and stated the franchise will retire at that time.

This cancellation comes amid Paramount’s ongoing efforts to finalize a high-profile merger with Skydance Media and follows a recent settlement of a lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump, which Colbert had publicly criticized.

Paramount and CBS emphasized that the cancellation was a “purely financial decision” unrelated to the show’s performance or content.

Fallon acknowledged the backlash, noting talk of boycotts and potential loss of millions of viewers on CBS and Paramount+. He paid tribute to Colbert’s decade-long contribution to late night, praising his sharp wit and numerous Emmy Awards.

During Fallon’s show, a solidarity skit featured celebrity friends including Andy Cohen, Anderson Cooper, John Oliver, Seth Meyers, and Jon Stewart, highlighting widespread support for Colbert.

Colbert addressed the cancellation on his Monday episode, promising to be candid about his feelings toward Trump, who mocked the firing on social media.

The Writers Guild of America, representing Colbert’s writers, called for an investigation into the cancellation, warning against corporate decisions influenced by political pressure. They cited ongoing attacks on the free press by Trump and condemned the implications of such actions on democracy.