AMAZING FRIENDSHIP: Jimmy Kimmel BREAKS SILENCE defending Stephen Colbert WITH EMOTIONAL MESSAGE at Billboard Emmys

Jimmy Kimmel is standing up for Stephen Colbert amid the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Kimmel, 57, appeared on a billboard ad in Los Angeles encouraging Emmy voters to vote for Colbert, 61. The billboard features a headshot of Kimmel beside an announcement of his own Emmy nomination for Outstanding Talk Series. In large white text below, the billboard read, “I’m voting Stephen.” Variety was first to report the news.

The billboard comes amid Paramount’s decision to cancel Colbert after 10 seasons. In a statement from CBS previously shared with PEOPLE, the network said, “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.”

Jimmy Kimmel erects a billboard endorsing Stephen Colbert for an Emmy ahead of his own show.courtesy

Colbert took over the show in September 2015 following David Letterman‘s departure. The cancellation came days after Colbert openly criticized the network’s parent company for its sizable settlement with President Donald Trump.

Following the network’s announcement to cancel the popular program on July 17, several late-night hosts have shown solidarity for Colbert, including Kimmel and Jon Stewart, who hosts The Daily Show.

Immediately following the cancellation news, Kimmel shared a clip of Colbert from the July 17 broadcast. “Love you Stephen,” Kimmel wrote. He also called out the network behind the decision. “F— you and all your Sheldons CBS,” Kimmel added.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert during Thursday’s July 17, 2025 show.Scott Kowalchyk/CBS/Getty

In a fiery statement on July 22, Stewart, 62, said, “If you’re trying to figure out why Stephen’s show is ending, I don’t think the answer can be found in some smoking gun email or phone call from Trump to CBS executives or in CBS’ QuickBooks spreadsheets on the financial health of late night.”

He continued, “I think the answer is in the fear and pre-compliance that is gripping all of America’s institutions at this very moment, institutions that have chosen not to fight the vengeful and vindictive actions of our pubic hair doodling Commander in Chief. This is not the moment to give in.”

Seth Meyers weighed in too. “For as great a comedian and host he is, Stephen Colbert is an even better person,” he wrote in a post on his Instagram Stories. “I’m going to miss having him on TV every night but I’m excited he can no longer use the excuse that he’s ‘too busy to hang out’ with me.”

Members of the Television Academy have until Aug. 27 to cast their votes.