Stephen Colbert Returns for First Late-Night TV Appearance Since Cancellation

Four months after The Late Show With Stephen Colbert wrapped its final episode, Stephen Colbert is heading back to late-night television — this time from the other side of the desk.

Colbert, 62, will appear as a guest on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday, September 15, the day after the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. Jimmy Kimmel broke the news himself at the close of his Thursday, September 10 broadcast, teasing the reunion to an enthusiastic studio audience, Entertainment Weekly reported.

“We will be back in a very big way on Tuesday night, after the Emmys, with the one and only Stephen Colbert, who will be making his return to late-night television,” Kimmel, 58, said.

Gesturing between the guest chair and his own hosting desk, he added, half-joking, “Right here. Or maybe right here. Maybe I’ll let him sit here; I don’t know. Either way, please join us for that.”

The appearance comes amid a friendly rivalry between the two shows, which are competing against each other at this year’s Emmys in several categories, including Outstanding Talk Series. Last year, Kimmel took the competition public, renting a billboard in West Hollywood urging voters to back The Late Show — despite his own program’s nomination in the same race. Colbert’s show went on to win.

Colbert returned the gesture last month, albeit more modestly. On August 25, he posted an Instagram video campaigning for Kimmel for the Outstanding Variety Series award.

“I think that we can all agree that Jimmy Kimmel deserves an Emmy,” Colbert said in the clip. “I don’t care if you’ve never even seen his show; you know he deserves an Emmy. Besides, look how cute he is,” holding up a photo of Kimmel for emphasis.