Jimmy Kimmel is getting his own taste of harsh reactions from critics following his recent criticism of CBS over the cancellation of Stephen Colbert‘s late-night show.
The comedian had called on viewers to boycott CBS in solidarity with his fellow late-night host, but his comments instead sparked a wave of backlash, with many people even calling for his own dismissal.
In the meantime, CBS has denied canceling Stephen Colbert’s show for political reasons, claiming it was linked to financial issues.
Jimmy Kimmel Faced With Renewed Demands For His Dismissal Over CBS Callout
On Wednesday’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” Kimmel devoted much of his opening monologue to CBS’s decision to cancel the show of his fellow late-night host Stephen Colbert, whose final episode aired on Thursday night.
“I will be watching. I hope that those of you who watch our show will also tune in to CBS for the last time,” Kimmel told his audience, per the New York Post. “Don’t ever watch it again.”
Rather than generating support online, his blunt criticism of CBS led many netizens to blast him instead.
In particular, some of those critics called for his dismissal and expressed how eager they would be to see him let go by ABC.
“Fire this a–hole. You pay him millions for this. He is the next to go,” one individual commented.
“Oh, Jimmy….. can’t wait till he gets cancelled for the same reason Colbert was cancelled. Losing his network $20+ million per year,” another individual said.
CBS Has Refuted Poltical Pressure As The Reason For Cancelling Stephen Colbert
The cancellation of Colbert’s show fueled speculation that the decision may have stemmed from political pressure, particularly due to the host’s outspoken criticism of public figures.
However, that narrative was rejected by CBS, which denied the claims in a statement released when the network first announced that the show would be ending.
“We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire ‘The Late Show’ franchise in May of 2026,” the July 2025 statement read. “We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late-night television.”
“This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount,” the announcement also read.
Jimmy Kimmel Has Come Close To Being Dismissed
Meanwhile, last year, Kimmel came close to being dismissed over comments he made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer and supporters of President Donald Trump in an episode of his show.
The host was initially placed on an indefinite suspension, although it lasted only four days amid growing calls from fans demanding his return.
When he eventually returned to the air, Kimmel delivered a lengthy monologue in which he appeared to walk back some of his remarks, though he stopped short of issuing a direct apology.
“It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” Kimmel said, per the New York Post. “Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions,” he continued.
The Late Night Show Host Recently Courted Controversy Over A Morbid Joke About Melania Trump
Rather than treating the Kirk incident as a warning to be more careful with his words, Jimmy Kimmel has appeared to grow even bolder in recent months.
In April, he found himself at the center of another controversy that sparked calls for his firing from the First Lady, the president, and online critics.
The TV host had made a dark joke about Melania Trump during an “alternative” White House Correspondents’ Dinner segment on his show.
At the time, Kimmel remarked that she had a “glow like an expectant widow,” a comment that later drew even more scrutiny, as a gunman opened fire at the Washington Hilton, where the actual White House Correspondents’ Dinner took place.
Melania Trump Called On ABC To Cancel Jimmy Kimmel
On X, Melania shared a scathing post aimed at Kimmel as she slammed his joke, especially as it came shortly before the WHCD shooting.
The first lady labeled Kimmel’s remark as “hateful and violent rhetoric” and said he should not be platformed to spread “hate” in the manner she claims he currently does.
Kimmel also received similar criticism from Trump, but it did not lead to any public reprimand from his employers despite the intensity of the backlash.
In fact, Kimmel hit back at Melania on his show, urging her to talk to her husband first about rejecting “violent” rhetoric.
