Jimmy Kimmel's surprising move for day of final Colbert 'Late Show'

Jimmy Kimmel is making sure Stephen Colbert has the spotlight as CBS' "The Late Show" wraps.

The late-night comedian will show his respect for Colbert by not airing a new episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Thursday, May 21, the day of Colbert's final "Late Show," USA TODAY has learned.

The news was first reported by LateNighter. Kimmel told the outlet he isn't going on the air that night out of deference to Colbert. The comic is not otherwise on hiatus from "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" that week, as new episodes are still scheduled for May 18 through May 20 on ABC.

Kimmel made a similar decision in 2015, deciding not to air a new episode opposite David Letterman's final "Late Show" on CBS. "I have too much respect for Dave to do anything that would distract viewers from watching his final show," Kimmel told The New York Times. "Plus, I'll probably be crying all day, which makes it hard to work."

The same presumably goes for Kimmel now as his friend Colbert prepares to sign off "The Late Show." CBS canceled the long-running late-night show in July, citing financial pressures.

Kimmel is also scheduled to make an appearance on "The Late Show" on May 11 alongside fellow late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers and John Oliver. The comedians all hosted the "Strike Force Five" podcast together in 2023 while their shows were shut down during the writers strike.

Kimmel and Colbert have shown their admiration and respect for each other over the years, and they've also both sat down as a guest on the other's show.

In September, Kimmel stopped by "The Late Show" to share the story of being briefly suspended over comments he made after the killing of Charlie Kirk. The same day, Colbert appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," where he shared his own story about finding out "The Late Show" had been canceled.

"I saw you a little over two weeks ago, and I will say, I've never been happier to lose the Emmy," Kimmel told Colbert. Colbert's "Late Show" won the Emmy for outstanding talk series in September.

Kimmel also told Colbert he was "absolutely shocked" when he found out "The Late Show" was canceled, adding, "It's not right."

For his part, Colbert told Kimmel he was "so happy" that "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" is back on the air after its brief suspension.

"To know you well is to admire you deeply," Colbert said, noting, "We've known each other for over 20 years, but we've only really gotten to know each other well the last few years, and I've just got to catch up on getting to know you, because the more I get to know you, the more I admire you — as a leader, I know you as a friend, and here's something I didn't know, is that you're funny!"

Colbert's penultimate week on the air will also include a May 14 appearance by Letterman, who hosted "The Late Show" before Colbert took over in 2015. Letterman has been vocally critical of CBS' decision to cancel the show.