‘Jimmy Kimmel deserves an Emmy,’ Stephen Colbert says as he supports fellow Trump critic
Stephen Colbert urged Emmy voters to select Jimmy Kimmel for Outstanding Variety Series at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, despite his former program being nominated in the same category.
Filming from a chair atop a cliff overlooking a body of water, a bearded Colbert addressed the camera directly.
“Oh, hi, Stephen Colbert here at the end of the world. You know, there is 24 hours in Emmy voting and if you’re anything like me, you haven’t even started yet. So, let’s get going,” Colbert said in a video posted to social media.
Holding up a tablet displaying an image of Kimmel, Colbert continued, “First up we have, oh, Outstanding Variety Series. … I think we can all agree that Jimmy Kimmel deserves an Emmy. I don’t care if you’ve never even seen his show, you know he deserves an Emmy. Besides, look how cute he is. Anyway, please consider thinking that Jimmy deserves an Emmy. I do. I love you.”
Conservative media reaction
Curtis Houck, managing editor of NewsBusters, criticized Colbert’s endorsement in comments to Fox News Digital, calling the video “beyond pathetic and embarrassing.”
Houck said, “It’s a perfect reminder of how this is such a club that only seeks to further their partisan, fun house mirrors world that’s all-Trump hate, all the time. These are two of the people most responsible for the decline in network comedy and why no one should take the profession seriously without sweeping changes.”
A long-running on-air alliance
Kimmel and Colbert have repeatedly praised each other on their respective programs and made guest appearances on each other’s shows.
Kimmel has also criticized CBS over its decision to cancel The Late Show and went dark during the broadcast of Colbert’s final episode. On the eve of the finale, Kimmel told his audience, “I will be watching tomorrow night. I hope that those of you who watch our show will also tune in to CBS for the last time. Don’t ever watch it again.”
Both hosts have regularly criticized President Donald Trump on their late-night programs.
Background on the CBS cancellation
CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show in 2025, sparking a national debate after Colbert’s supporters alleged the network had removed him for political reasons.
The announcement came after Paramount settled Trump’s lawsuit against 60 Minutes. Shortly afterward, the Federal Communications Commission approved Paramount’s merger with Skydance Media, which is run by David Ellison, the son of Trump ally Larry Ellison.
CBS said the cancellation was a financial decision, a characterization Colbert disputed on air. Reports at the time indicated The Late Show was costing the network approximately $40 million annually.
Kimmel’s own controversies
Kimmel was briefly suspended by Disney after remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk drew backlash, prompting ABC to preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” indefinitely. He returned to the air days later and said he never intended to make light of Kirk’s death.
Kimmel later faced renewed criticism over an “expectant widow” joke about first lady Melania Trump made at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. The remark circulated widely online, prompting both President Trump and the first lady to call on ABC to respond.