Stephen Colbert’s Late-Night Comeback: From CBS Exit to Emmy Shade and Startup Success
Stephen Colbert is making headlines again after his surprising exit from CBS, and his return to late night is already generating buzz. According to The New York Times, Colbert will appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live on September 14, 2026, marking his first late-night appearance since leaving The Late Show. The move comes just days after NBC News reported that Colbert’s Emmy win highlighted TV’s transition, with Apple and Colbert scoring big at the Primetime Emmys. But Colbert isn’t just returning to the spotlight—he’s also making waves behind the scenes. Inc.com reports that he just raised $5 million for his startup, a sign that his post-CBS career is thriving.nnColbert’s influence extends beyond his own show. As noted, platforms like Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and The Daily Show have been essential to variety shows, and Colbert remains a key figure in that landscape. His recent Emmy win, where he urged voters to choose Jimmy Kimmel over his own program, shows he’s still a team player—even as he navigates his own path. The Daily Beast reported that Colbert shaded a MAGA-coded CBS boss whose daughter ditched the network, adding a layer of personal drama to his exit. Meanwhile, IMDb confirmed that Colbert has officially confirmed his late-night return, though details remain scarce.nnNot everyone is thrilled about the late-night shakeup. Kirsten Fleming of the New York Post criticized Jimmy Kimmel’s “long, tedious and unfunny goodbye,” calling him a “bitter partisan preacher.” But Colbert’s decision to support Kimmel over himself at the Emmys suggests a different tone—one of camaraderie rather than competition. As Screen Rant‘s Ana Dumaraog notes, Colbert’s ability to bring clarity and enthusiasm to every story has made him a beloved figure in network TV. Whether he’s raising millions for a startup or cracking jokes on Kimmel’s couch, Colbert proves that his voice remains essential in a rapidly changing television
Shimanta Das 
