Stephen Colbert is returning to late-night television as a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday, September 15. It will be his first appearance in the format since The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ended its run in May 2026.
The booking is notable because Kimmel publicly supported Colbert after CBS announced that it would retire The Late Show franchise. The two hosts also enter Emmy week with their programmes recognised, making the appearance both a reunion and a moment of solidarity during a period of change for American late night.
ABC had not described the visit as a permanent hosting move or a launch of a new Colbert programme. Viewers should treat it as a guest appearance unless either host or network announces something more.
When is Stephen Colbert appearing?
Colbert is scheduled for the Tuesday, September 15 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! The programme airs on ABC in the United States, with availability through the network's normal streaming and on-demand partners depending on location.
International viewers should check a licensed local platform because ABC's live feed is not universally available. Clips are commonly published through verified programme channels after broadcast, but the complete episode may have regional restrictions.
The appearance comes one day after the 78th Emmy Awards on September 14, where late-night programmes and their hosts are part of the industry's annual celebration.
Why did The Late Show end?
CBS announced in July 2025 that it would end The Late Show franchise after Colbert's final season. The network said the decision was financial rather than a reflection of the programme's performance or content.
The announcement still produced political and industry debate because Colbert was a prominent critic of President Donald Trump and because it arrived amid major corporate changes involving CBS parent Paramount.
It is important to separate confirmed information from speculation. CBS publicly cited financial reasons. Critics questioned whether political or merger considerations played a role, but those claims were not established as the network's stated cause.
Colbert continued hosting through May 21, 2026, completing more than a decade behind The Late Show desk.
What has Colbert said about his next move?
Colbert has indicated that he is not rushing into another daily programme. After years of producing topical television on a demanding schedule, he has spoken about wanting to return to work that offers a sense of creative enjoyment and shared laughter.
He has received interest and offers, but no confirmed replacement show has been announced. A guest appearance allows him to reconnect with a television audience without committing to a full production.
That makes September 15 an interesting test of public appetite. Strong online engagement could increase speculation, but ratings alone would not reveal whether Colbert wants another long-term hosting role.
What is his relationship with Jimmy Kimmel?
Colbert and Kimmel competed for viewers but maintained a friendly relationship. Along with other hosts, they worked together on the Strike Force Five podcast during the 2023 writers' strike.
Kimmel criticised CBS's decision to end Colbert's programme and later offered him a space on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. The hosts have also publicly supported each other around the Emmys.
Their shared episode is likely to discuss the end of The Late Show, Colbert's time away from nightly television and the state of the format. Comedy may keep the conversation light, but the corporate pressures facing late night will be difficult to ignore.
Is Colbert replacing Kimmel?
There is no announcement that Colbert is replacing Jimmy Kimmel. He is booked as a guest, and headlines describing a full “comeback” can create a misleading impression.
Guest hosts periodically fill in on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and Kimmel has previously invited prominent entertainers to take the desk. Even if Colbert hosts an episode in the future, that would not necessarily mean a permanent succession.
Fans should look for confirmation from ABC, Kimmel or Colbert before accepting claims about a new contract.
Why does this matter for late-night television?
Traditional late night faces pressure from declining linear-TV audiences, expensive production and competition from podcasts, streaming clips and creators who respond to news instantly.
Hosts still influence political and cultural conversation, but many viewers encounter a monologue on social media rather than watching an entire broadcast. Networks must decide whether the advertising and digital value justify the cost of a nightly studio programme.
Colbert's departure removed one of the format's most recognisable voices. His appearance on a rival network shows that host identity can travel even when a franchise ends.
What could Colbert do next?
Possible paths include a weekly streaming show, a limited interview series, live performances, producing, acting or a podcast. Each would offer more schedule flexibility than a nightly broadcast.
He could also choose not to recreate The Late Show. The best next project may use his interviewing, improvisation and political-comedy experience in a format built for current viewing habits.
Tuesday's episode is therefore less important as a secret announcement and more valuable as Colbert's first public return to familiar surroundings. It will show how he talks about the ending, how audiences respond and whether being back behind a late-night desk looks like closure—or the beginning of something new.
