Stephen Colbert received surprise visits from fellow late-night hosts after his show was unexpectedly cancelled this week.
Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart, and several other television personalities appeared on Colbert’s final episode in an unprecedented show of support from the late-night community.
The cancellation caught industry insiders off guard.
Colbert’s show had been performing well in recent ratings, making the network’s decision particularly surprising to viewers and colleagues alike. The host had been with the network for several years and built a loyal following.
“Stephen’s been a real friend to all of us in this business,”
Fallon said during his appearance.
“We couldn’t let him go out without showing our support.”
Jon Stewart, who mentored Colbert early in his career, also made an appearance on the show.
The veteran host praised Colbert’s work and influence on political comedy. Stewart’s visit was especially meaningful given their long professional relationship dating back to Colbert’s time as a correspondent.
Other late-night personalities joined the farewell episode remotely and in person.
The network hasn’t announced Colbert’s replacement yet. Industry sources suggest several candidates are being considered for the time slot, though no official discussions have been confirmed.
Colbert thanked his audience and fellow hosts during the emotional final episode. He said he’s exploring new opportunities in television and hasn’t ruled out returning to late-night television in a different format.
The show’s production staff will be reassigned to other network projects. Most crew members have already received new assignments within the company.