Jimmy Kimmel Puts Up Emmys Billboard for Stephen Colbert

Jimmy Kimmel’s Bold Billboard Endorses Stephen Colbert for Emmy Success

In a surprising move of solidarity within the entertainment industry, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel has taken a bold step by erecting a billboard at a prominent intersection in West Hollywood. The billboard, strategically placed at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and La Cienega, urges Emmy voters to support “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” for outstanding talk series, rather than Kimmel’s own nominated program.

The billboard features a simple yet powerful message: “I’m voting for Stephen.” This gesture of support for fellow late-night host Stephen Colbert comes in response to CBS’s recent cancellation of “The Late Show.” The decision to end Colbert’s long-running series was made by Paramount Global following its merger with Skydance Media, citing cost-cutting measures as the primary reason.

The cancellation of “The Late Show” has sparked significant controversy within the industry, especially as the CBS program faces its final opportunity for Emmy recognition. Since its debut in 2015, “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” has received 33 Emmy nominations across various categories, making it one of the most-nominated shows in Primetime Emmy history never to win an award.

This year’s talk series category includes “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show.” The full Television Academy membership decides this category, making Kimmel’s public endorsement even more impactful. The strategic location of the billboard near major entertainment offices and the Television Academy headquarters ensures maximum visibility among Emmy voters.

The cancellation of “The Late Show” has raised speculation about potential political motivations, given the critical coverage of political figures, including President Donald Trump, on late-night television. Many industry insiders see the decision as reflecting broader challenges facing traditional late-night programming in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

In addition to his support for Colbert, Kimmel is also nominated this year for outstanding game show host for ABC’s “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” and as an executive producer and host for the short-form variety series “The Rabbit Hole With Jimmy Kimmel” on YouTube.

The 77th Emmy Awards, hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze, will air live on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS. The ceremony will also be available for streaming live and on-demand through select Paramount+ packages.

This bold display of support from Jimmy Kimmel for Stephen Colbert underscores the camaraderie and competition within the entertainment industry, as well as the ongoing challenges faced by late-night programming in today’s media landscape. It remains to be seen how Kimmel’s endorsement will impact the outcome of the Emmy Awards and the future of late-night television.