Stephen Colbert made a guest appearance on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' Tuesday, where he poked fun at his former network, CBS, and sported a beard reminiscent of David Letterman.
When Kimmel asked if anyone from CBS had reached out to congratulate him on the seven Emmys won by 'The Late Show' during its final season, Colbert sarcastically replied, "I am not familiar with that organization. Thank you for asking."
This appearance marked Colbert's first since CBS and parent company Paramount ended his program, a decision he and Kimmel have suggested was politically motivated. Colbert had previously criticized Paramount, calling a $16 million settlement with Donald Trump a "big fat bribe," shortly after his show's cancellation was announced. CBS, however, cited financial reasons for the decision.
Kimmel then inquired about Colbert's suits from his show, to which Colbert responded that while initially told they would be stored, he was allowed to keep about 40 suits after some were auctioned off. He joked that they were currently filling a guest bedroom. Colbert's beard, which he had for the appearance, was later shaved off on air.
During their conversation, Colbert likened his former hosting duties to being "lowered like carbon rods into a radioactive pool every day" and then radiating that energy back at the audience.
An Evening at the Emmys
Colbert also shared an anecdote from the previous night's Emmy Awards, where he, Kimmel, Jon Stewart, and John Oliver were seated together. A photographer approached their table to take a group photo, and after the hosts posed, the photographer quipped, "Oh, it's the endangered table." Colbert admitted that while smiling for the photo, he privately commented, "That joke’s not as funny as you think."
Colbert has recently been in New Zealand working on a film for the 'Lord of the Rings' franchise. The timing of his show's cancellation came shortly after Paramount's merger with Skydance was approved by the federal government. Skydance was founded by David Ellison, son of billionaire and Trump supporter Larry Ellison.
Both Colbert and Kimmel have been vocal critics of Donald Trump. Reports from Puck suggested 'The Late Show' was losing approximately $40 million annually, a figure Kimmel disputed in a Vulture interview, calling them "made-up numbers."