Colbert and Kimmel in 2017 (Photo:: Disney)
Late-night fans will see a rare host swap next week when Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert appear as guests on each other’s shows—on the very same night.
Kimmel, who’s broadcasting a week of shows from Brooklyn Sept. 29–Oct. 4, announced earlier this month that Colbert would be one of his guests. What wasn’t known (and perhaps not planned) at the time is that Colbert will host Kimmel on The Late Show that same night—Tuesday, Sept. 30.
The mutual guest spots come as both hosts navigate turbulent times: Colbert in the wake of CBS’s cancellation of The Late Show, and Kimmel following his suspension and reinstatement at ABC.
Although the shows air at 11:35 p.m. on competing networks, their Tuesday taping schedules have been adjusted to make the double appearance possible. Kimmel will meet Colbert first in Brooklyn before the pair heads to the Ed Sullivan Theater in Manhattan for Colbert’s taping.
Kimmel has appeared on Colbert’s Late Show only once before, in October 2015, just a month after its premiere. Colbert has guested on Jimmy Kimmel Live! four times, but only once since succeeding David Letterman, in 2017.
The two time-slot rivals have been outspoken advocates for one another in recent months. Kimmel, who was nominated alongside Colbert for Outstanding Talk Series at the Emmys, publicly campaigned for Colbert to win, while Colbert passionately defended Kimmel during the ABC host’s suspension last week.
No word yet on whether any other Strike Force Five alums will crash the party—but it wouldn’t be a surprise if they do.