Jimmy Fallon is taking a back seat as Stephen Colbert bids farewell to late-night TV. Instead of airing a new episode on May 21, NBC will play a rerun of “The Tonight Show.” This date is significant, as it marks the final episode of Colbert’s “Late Show” after its cancellation by CBS last year. Fallon, along with Jimmy Kimmel, is showing support by allowing Colbert’s farewell to reach the largest audience possible.
Recently, the late-night hosts reunited on “The Late Show” for an episode featuring comedians Seth Meyers and John Oliver. This gathering was part of their “Strike Force Five” podcast, launched during the Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023. They raised funds to support crew members who were without pay while productions were halted.
During their reunion, Kimmel discussed his recent suspension by Disney due to controversial comments. He mentioned audience engagement, saying, “We have a lot of shows. 30,000 people watching each one, and it adds up.” He emphasized how viewers now have many options, including YouTube.
In terms of viewership trends, late-night shows are adapting. According to a recent study, about 25% of younger viewers prefer streaming content, impacting traditional late-night ratings. Shows are now competing not just with each other but with a rising number of platforms like Netflix and Hulu.
This shift reflects a larger trend in media consumption. Audience behavior is changing. Late-night hosts are becoming aware of the need to evolve their content to keep viewers engaged. With more options, viewers are choosing what fits their lifestyle best.
As we watch these late-night legends navigate their careers, it’s clear that the landscape of entertainment is always shifting. They’ll need to keep innovating to stay relevant.
For more insights on the changing landscape of late-night television, check this report from Pew Research.
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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
