Stephen Colbert and late night hosts strike again as his show nears finale

Television Stephen Colbert and late night hosts strike again as his show nears finale May 12, 20264:27 AM ET Mandalit del Barco The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and guests Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, John Oliver, and Seth Meyers during Monday's May 11, 2026 show. Scott Kowalchyk/CBS Broadcasting Inc. hide caption toggle caption Scott Kowalchyk/CBS Broadcasting Inc. Stephen Colbert invited his "best television friends," fellow late night hosts John Oliver, Seth Meyers and the two Jimmies— Kimmel and Fallon— to join him as his show on CBS/ Paramount Plus winds down. One of Colbert's final episodes was a reunion of the Strike Force Five, which is what the hosts have called themselves and the name of the podcast they hosted together three years ago. Television CBS will end 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' next year "Late night is in a bit of a weird spot right now — spoiler alert," Colbert said. "The five of us being here right now, obviously, it's dangerous because we represent so much of late night. Jon Stewart is designated survivor. Someone has to survive for the president to be mad at," referencing the frequent host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show. Colbert's final show will air on May 21; CBS canceled him months ago, citing financial reasons. But many fans think the reason is political, as Colbert has continuously skewered President Trump. He spent most of his monologue last night making fun of Trump. Sponsor Message During last night's show, Kimmel called out fans for not reacting to Colbert's cancellation by ditching their subscriptions to Paramount Plus. "When I got knocked off the air for a few days, people canceled Disney+," quipped Kimmel, who was temporarily taken off the air by Disney and ABC amidst conservative backlash over comments he made in the aftermath of the assassination of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk. During his monologue, soon after, Kimmel said the "MAGA gang" was trying to score political points from the Kirk killing. Tel...