A Late‑Night Rebellion: Fallon, Kimmel, Oliver & Meyers Rally Behind Stephen Colbert — and Monday Night Could Be the Loudest Comedy Protest in History

In a seismic shift rattling broadcast television, CBS is axing The Late Show with Stephen Colbert—a decision that’s sparked not just industry outrage, but a chorus of rebellion from late-night’s most recognizable voices. Monday’s episode could mark the loudest protest ever seen in comedy, fueled by sharp critiques and pointed questions aimed squarely at CBS.

CBS pulls the plug—just as controversy swirls

On July 17, 2025, CBS stunned viewers by announcing The Late Show, and the entire franchise, would end in May 2026 when Colbert’s contract expires . Ostensibly to save money, CBS claimed the move was a “purely financial decision,” not a reflection on Colbert’s performance. Yet the timing couldn’t be more controversial: just three days prior, Colbert had sharply criticized parent company Paramount for settling a $16 million lawsuit with Donald Trump—calling it a “big fat bribe” in an on‑air monologue .

Despite Colbert’s Late Show being the top‑rated program in its 11:30 p.m. slot—averaging 2.4 million viewers in Q2 2025—CBS cited rising production costs and declining late‑night ad revenue as grounds for cancellation The Sun. Critics, however, see political motives: Trump gloated over the decision and warned others like Jimmy Kimmel or Jimmy Fallon might be next Page Six+5People.com+5EW.com+5. Senator Elizabeth Warren and former House Intelligence Chair Adam Schiff have both questioned whether the move was driven by Paramount’s need to appease regulators overseeing its merger with Skydance .

Jon Stewart, once Smith College professor turned Daily Show host who launched Colbert’s career, called CBS’s decision “corporate fear” and “pre‑compliance” to political pressure . WGA demanded an investigation, citing “significant concerns about… bribery at Paramount”.

The voices of solidarity

Late‑night rivals didn’t simply voice support—they took action.

Jimmy Fallon (NBC, Tonight Show) went beyond Instagram condolences. He made a surprise appearance on Colbert’s set, quipping that “I thought I’d ride this out with him for years to come… one of the sharpest, funniest hosts ever” . On his own couch in a later monologue, he explicitly criticized CBS and Paramount, joking he might be next to get “axed”.
Jimmy Kimmel (ABC, Jimmy Kimmel Live!) publicly reshared Colbert’s on‑air announcement and fired off: “Love you, Stephen. F*** you and all your Sheldons, CBS”. Out of town on vacation, he posted a photo from an anti‑Trump rally and made no secret of his anger. His monologue later accused CBS of appeasing “corporate fear”.
Seth Meyers reminded fans why these comedians are legends. Though more measured publicly, he joined the solidarity appearance and renewed his focus on political satire—a dying art form without figures like Colbert .
John Oliver (HBO, Last Week Tonight) also made the solidarity bit, risking his high‑budget platform to stand beside Colbert. Doing so suggests Oliver, too, senses a turning point.

Together—with surprise cameos from Jon Stewart, Andy Cohen, Anderson Cooper, and more—they staged a protest segment Monday night that overshadowed traditional network support. Instead of relying on studios, they leaned on their influence and creative freedom to protest directly on-screen .

The broader shift in late‑night

The rebellion isn’t just about Colbert—it’s about an entire late‑night ecosystem that’s crumbling. Once a cornerstone of nightly entertainment, broadcast late‑night has seen ad revenue halve since 2018, dropping from $439 million to $220 million annually . Rising production costs and audience fragmentation—thanks to platforms like TikTok, Twitch, and podcasts—have made the model increasingly untenable .

Jimmy Kimmel himself, in a candid 2024 podcast, warned that “within the next ten years, the networks may decide the format is no longer cost‑effective…and cancel all remaining shows”. CBS’s decision to terminate Late Show outright rather than trimming nights (like NBC did with Tonight Show) underscores an existential threat to late‑night as a format.

What’s at stake Monday

As comedy fans prepare for Monday’s episode, the stakes could not be higher. It may go down as the most powerful protest in television history—a moment when top comics use their platforms to confront not just a network, but the political undercurrents influencing broadcast decisions.

Expect a scathing opening segment from Colbert, now under no corporate restraints. Jon Stewart’s cameo reinforced that message: “the gloves are off.” Fallon, Kimmel, Meyers and Oliver will likely amplify it, challenging network silence and galvanizing viewers to reject politics interfering with satire .

Monday could mark a turning point: Will viewers rally behind a comedy renaissance on new platforms? Or is this the beginning of the end for big‑budget, high‑profile late‑night politics? The solidarity shown here—across networks, studios, and platforms—is unique. It’s less a vote of confidence in Colbert’s future and more a collective stand against “cancel culture” of the corporate sort.

The legacy—beyond farewell

Colbert’s final season won’t just be a series of farewell bits—it might signal a seismic shift in comedy. Monday night isn’t just about reckoning with CBS; it’s a moment of truth for political satire and late‑night TV writ large. If audiences respond, it could catalyze a migration toward independent, personality-driven media. If not, it may cement broadcast late‑night’s slide into irrelevance.

What’s certain is that Cowell’s dismantling of the network late‑night lineup has ignited the most public, most combative protest we’ve ever seen—from comedians holding their own networks accountable. They’re not asking permission. They’re demanding it.

So tune in Monday: this won’t just be Colbert’s swan song. It may become the most significant comedy resistance movement we’ve ever witnessed.