Stephen Colbert was filming in front of a live studio audience Wednesday when he was given the news of pal Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension.
Colbert was reportedly “visibly shaken” after learning the news near the end of filming, according to members of the studio audience who talked to Late Nighter. The talk show host briefly “halted” production while he composed himself and gathered more information backstage, the outlet reported.
“When he returned, Colbert told the audience he did not yet have clarity on the situation and would address it on Thursday night’s show,” Late Nighter wrote. “He then taped the show’s closing segment before quickly exiting the stage.”
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert is in the middle of its final season after being canceled by CBS earlier this year. Kimmel was outspoken in his support of his fellow late-night host amid the cancellation, leading to The Late Show taking home an Emmy earlier this week.
As Men’s Journal previously reported, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was suspended indefinitely after ABC was pressured by station owners who found Kimmel’s remarks on Tuesday night’s show to be controversial.
Nexstar — which owns dozens of stations nationwide — released a statement claiming they “strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.”
Hollywood stars have been vocal in their support of Kimmel, with Jason Bateman calling it “troubling.” Ben Stiller simply said, “This isn’t right.”
Neither Kimmel nor Colbert have spoken out about the network’s decision as of publication.
