Jimmy Fallon joins Kimmel in move of solidarity with Stephen Colbert

Both late-night Jimmys are clearing the airwaves for Stephen Colbert's sendoff.

"The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon" will not air a new episode on Thursday, May 21, the night of Colbert's final "Late Show," NBC announced May 12.

The scheduling change, which the network described as a "sign of late-night solidarity," was confirmed one day after it was revealed that Jimmy Kimmel will also air a rerun on May 21 in deference to Colbert. Fallon had previously been scheduled for a new episode on May 21. "The Tonight Show" airs on NBC at the same time that "The Late Show" airs on CBS.

Kimmel, whose show also airs on ABC opposite Colbert's, previously opted not to go on the air in 2015 on the night that David Letterman signed off "The Late Show." He told The New York Times at the time, "I have too much respect for Dave to do anything that would distract viewers from watching his final show. Plus, I'll probably be crying all day, which makes it hard to work."

The day after Colbert's finale, Fallon will return to "The Tonight Show" on Friday, May 22, with Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Maluma.

CBS announced the surprise cancellation of "The Late Show" in July, describing the move as a "financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night." Rather than getting a new host, the late-night institution previously hosted by David Letterman is ending entirely.

All of the major late-night hosts have expressed their support for Colbert since the cancellation news and decried CBS' decision. On May 11, Kimmel, Fallon, Seth Meyers and John Oliver reunited and sat down with Colbert on "The Late Show." The five comedians hosted the "Strike Force Five" podcast in 2023 while their writers were on strike.

During the episode, Kimmel shared his "outrage" that "The Late Show" is "being thrown off the air," adding, "It's like when your young wife dies. It's sad, is what I'm saying. It's such a tragedy."

For his part, Fallon told Colbert, "It's odd the way it ended for you, and it's a bummer because I wanted to do this longer with you." He also said Colbert is welcome to come on "The Tonight Show" anytime.

Colbert has not shared details about his final episode. Beginning on May 22, CBS is replacing "The Late Show" with the comedy talk show "Comics Unleashed."