Stephen Colbert, the former host of “Late Show,” made a return to late-night television as a guest on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” following his recent Emmy win. This marks his first appearance since CBS canceled his show earlier this year. Colbert received a warm welcome from the audience, with Kimmel humorously likening his return to a shark going back to familiar waters.
During the interview, Kimmel observed a noticeable difference in Colbert’s demeanor, noting that he appeared happier and healthier away from the daily news grind. Colbert mentioned how he no longer felt the need to consume negative news every night, describing the break from the news cycle as refreshing.
While briefly touching on U.S. President Donald Trump and the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of “The Late Show,” the conversation mostly steered clear of deep political commentary. Instead, viewers saw a relaxed and playful Colbert, focusing more on comedy than on politics, a departure from his usual style during his late-night tenure.
The lighthearted reunion included banter between Kimmel and Colbert, with jokes about Colbert’s recent Emmy win and his beard, which Colbert humorously agreed to shave off on air. Additionally, Colbert shared details about a new film project he is working on with his son, a Lord of the Rings movie titled “The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past.”
Colbert, who joked about having newfound free time, did not announce any new television projects. The interview concluded with Colbert presenting Kimmel with a Captain America shield prop, symbolizing the passing of the late-night torch as Colbert embraced his role as a guest rather than a host.
The decision to cancel “The Late Show” by CBS last summer was attributed to financial reasons, although some speculated political motivations due to Colbert’s public criticism of the parent company’s settlement with Donald Trump. Despite the controversy surrounding the show’s cancellation, Colbert appeared content with his current state of affairs, enjoying the freedom to explore new opportunities beyond nightly political satire.