Stephen Colbert Is Returning To Late-Night — And He’s Getting Help From A Longtime Pal
Stephen Colbert is returning to late-night TV and will appear as a guest on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Tuesday, one night after he and his old CBS program could snag a statuette at the Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday.
Kimmel’s audience erupted when the host confirmed LateNighter.com’s report about the booking on Thursday.
“Maybe I’ll let him sit here, I don’t know,” said Kimmel while gesturing toward his desk.
The timing is noteworthy as the former “Late Show” host — who has been away from the late-night TV since turning off the lights at the Ed Sullivan Theater in May — could build off the momentum of six Emmys that his program has won in the lead-up to Monday’s ceremony.
Former “Late Show” executive producer Tom Purcell — while accepting the Emmy for Writing for a Variety Series earlier this month — thanked the staff, crew and “everybody who keeps late-night going” in his speech.
“That includes ‘[Last Week Tonight with John] Oliver,’ ‘Daily Show,’ [Jimmy] Kimmel [Live!],’ all the other shows — it is a super important institution in this country. And, keep the flame burning, guys,” he said.
He also praised the show’s “fearless leader” in Colbert, calling him the “best host” and “best boss in the world.”
While Colbert’s show is up for Outstanding Variety Series at Monday’s ceremony, the comedian has publicly backed Kimmel in the category and returning a favor for his friend in the process.
Kimmel used his Emmys campaign to support Colbert ahead of last year’s ceremony after CBS pulled the plug on his friend and fellow Trump critic’s program for “purely financial reasons.”
The “Late Show” would go on to win its first Emmy Award the next month.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is eyeing its first-ever Emmys win in the Outstanding Variety Series category on Monday.
