In a moment that felt less like television and more like live history, Stephen Colbert opened his first full week of The Late Show since its bombshell cancellation not with silence—but with backup. And not just any backup.

Jon Stewart. Jimmy Fallon. Seth Meyers. John Oliver.

Four of late night’s biggest voices walked out, unannounced and unscripted, in a rare show of unity that sent a message louder than any monologue: Stephen Colbert is not going down alone.

And maybe, just maybe, this isn’t just about one show. Maybe it’s about something bigger.

A Farewell… or a Rebellion?

Monday night’s broadcast began with Colbert reading former President Donald Trump’s now-infamous Truth Social post celebrating The Late Show’s cancellation. In true Colbert fashion, he handled it with biting sarcasm:

“There’s only room for one on this cross,” he joked. “And I gotta tell you, the view is fantastic from up here. I can see your house!”

But the show quickly shifted from cheeky comedy to full-blown resistance.

With the audience still reeling from the show’s cancellation—announced just days after Colbert publicly criticized CBS parent company Paramount’s $16 million settlement with Trump—viewers were treated to surprise appearances from some of Colbert’s fiercest competitors and closest friends.

Fallon, Stewart, Meyers, and Oliver didn’t just show up. They stood beside him. Literally.

“The Gloves Are Off”

“Starting right now, I don’t care for him,” Colbert said bluntly, referring to Trump, in what marked a new tone of uncensored honesty.

“For the next 10 months, the gloves are off,” he declared, alluding to his remaining time on air before The Late Show concludes its run in May 2026.

Colbert’s message was clear: Without network strings to pull him back, he’s free to go off-script—and he plans to. In many ways, Monday’s episode wasn’t just about laughter. It was about defiance.

A Kiss Cam, Coldplay, and a Middle Finger to Censorship

In a moment blending satire and symbolism, Colbert brought out Lin-Manuel Miranda and Weird Al Yankovic for a surprise Coldplay performance—designed to lift the crowd’s spirits following a tough week.

As the song played, the infamous “kiss cam” panned across the audience. It landed on Anderson Cooper kissing Andy Cohen, Fallon pecking Meyers, and Adam Sandler cozying up to Happy Gilmore 2 co-star Christopher McDonald.

And then the camera found cartoon Trump—holding the Paramount logo.

Colbert, in full meta-commentary mode, turned to his guests and said their performance was canceled too, “due to a purely financial decision.”

It was brilliant. It was biting. It was pure Colbert.

Fallout from the Fallout

CBS claims the cancellation of The Late Show was a financial decision, citing a “challenging backdrop in late night.” But few are buying that, especially after Colbert’s sharp takedown of Paramount’s hush-money settlement with Trump just three days earlier.

The timing feels too pointed to be coincidental.

Adding more fuel to the fire, Colbert’s colleagues haven’t stayed silent.

Jimmy Kimmel, also a frequent Trump critic, posted “Love you Stephen. F— you and all your Sheldons, CBS” on Instagram—referencing both Colbert and CBS CEO George Cheeks.

Fallon was quick to defend his peer as well:

“Stephen is one of the sharpest, funniest hosts to ever do it,” he said. “Honestly, he’s been a gentleman and a true friend over the years. I really thought I’d ride this out with him for years to come.”

Meanwhile, Seth Meyers called Colbert “an even better person than he is a comedian” and joked that the end of The Late Show means Colbert can no longer use the excuse of being “too busy to hang out.”

Even on The Tonight Show, Fallon poked at the decision, saying CBS could lose “millions of viewers, plus tens of hundreds watching on Paramount+.”

Did Trump Really Have a Hand in This?

While nothing has been confirmed, the political undertones of the cancellation are impossible to ignore.

Paramount is currently seeking approval from the Trump administration for a high-stakes merger with Skydance Media. Colbert’s vocal criticism of the network’s $16 million payout—reportedly designed to ease tensions with Trump after 60 Minutes aired a controversial interview with Kamala Harris—might have pushed things too far.

Was The Late Show canceled for financial reasons? Or was it a strategic sacrifice to protect corporate interests?

Colbert seems to think he knows.

“This Isn’t About Comedy Anymore”

At its core, Monday’s episode wasn’t just about solidarity. It was about resistance.

Four competitors—Fallon, Stewart, Meyers, and Oliver—crossed networks, cameras, and contracts to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with a man whose voice they refuse to see silenced.

And if the thunderous applause in the studio is any indication, millions of viewers feel the same.

In a media landscape increasingly shaped by consolidation, political pressure, and corporate interests, The Late Show may have just become something it never intended to be: a battleground for artistic freedom and journalistic integrity.

“This isn’t about comedy anymore,” Colbert warned.
“It’s about control.”

The End of The Late Show—Or the Beginning of Something Else?

As of now, Colbert will remain at the helm until May 2026. But if this week is any indication, these final ten months may be the most unfiltered, unrestrained, and unforgettable in late-night history.

And thanks to his fellow comics and a loyal audience unwilling to let the lights dim quietly, Colbert is going out not with a whisper—but with a roar.