In a show of late-night solidarity, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Jon Stewart, and John Oliver dropped in on Stephen Colbert’s Tonight episode following the announcement of his show’s cancellation.
A Rare Reunion on the Ed Sullivan Stage
July 22, 2025: Sources report that for Monday night’s taping, hosts Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Jon Stewart, and John Oliver all made surprise appearances alongside Stephen Colbert at The Late Show. The cameos come in response to CBS’s decision to end the long-running program after the 2025–26 season.
Words of Support from the Late-Night Ranks
Fallon and Meyers had already voiced their support online, applauding Colbert both as a comedian and as a friend. Oliver, appearing at a separate event, called the cancellation “terrible, terrible news for the world of comedy.” Stewart, who worked closely with Colbert during The Daily Show era, addressed the controversy in his own show that night.
Star-Studded Onstage Reunion
Beyond the four main guests, Monday’s Late Show featured additional high-profile moments: appearances by Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Weird Al Yankovic—and even a tongue-in-cheek Coldplay gag referencing recent viral kiss-cam drama. Moments included playful on-camera interactions like Cooper and Cohen leaning in for a mock kiss, and Fallon and Meyers raising beers—all symbolizing unity in the face of loss.
What This Symbolizes
Public solidarity: Colleagues united onstage to support a late-night icon.
Cultural moment: The gathering serves as a statement of resilience amid high-profile cancellation.
Legacy focus: The appearance highlights Colbert’s impact and the camaraderie across late-night TV.
What Comes Next
Final season underway: The Late Show will continue through May 2026.
Stewart’s response: He’ll address the cancellation later tonight on The Daily Show.
Kimmel’s absence noted: As he’s currently on vacation, Jimmy Kimmel was missing from the tribute.
In the wake of a shocking cancellation, the surprise support from late-night heavyweights shows that when one show sets to bow out, an entire comedy community steps forward. Catch the emotional fallout—and the unity—in the week ahead.
Published by HOLR Magazine