“Chef’s kiss” - Internet reacts to Jon Stewart, Adam Sandler, and John Oliver’s appearance on Stephen Colbert to show solidarity

On June 17, 2025, Stephen Colbert announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will conclude in May 2026.

The end of the popular broadcast of the late-night show was confirmed days after the renowned host criticized Paramount's bribe settlement with President Donald Trump, according to a report by Reuters.

Amid the news of a cold controversy between Colbert and the network, celebrities such as Jon Stewart and Adam Sandler were seen gracing their presence and supporting the host on the July 22 episode. 

Netizens were amazed to see notable celebrities attending the recent episode and expressing their solidarity for Colbert.

From Jon Stewart to John Oliver, stars attend The Late Show with Stephen Colbert 

CBS executives detailed the reason to end the beloved 33-year-old show in 2026 in a politically charged climate. Despite the network clarifying the decision to be "purely a financial" one, several people do not find it particularly convincing.

In between multiple reasons to ponder, heated conversations online, and netizens' personal views on the end of the show, Jon Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver made an unexpected appearance on the latest episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

The surprise visits and support from late-night hosts caught viewers' attention in no time.

According to a recent report by The Tribune, the much-appreciated episode broadcast on Monday portrayed a hilarious parody of a viral anecdote captured during a recent Concert tour. 

Glimpses of the celebs having a gala at the latest episode were shown after Stephen discussed a performance on Coldplay's Viva La Vida by "Weird Al" Yankovic and Lin-Manuel Miranda, prompting the humorous skit. 

The camera panned to Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, Andy Cohen, and Anderson Cooper from CNN in the audience, according to Parade. Hilariously, Andy was busy sharing with Anderson, and Jimmy and Seth were having fun exchanging high-fives while drinking their brews, enjoying the sketch.

The performance indirectly indicated several instincts running through viewers' minds. As Parade reported, Stephen abruptly stopped the background music and began reading a letter stating,

"this is purely a financial decision." 

He further continued his sketch, explaining,

"Since you started playing that song, the network has lost, and I don’t know how this is possible, $40M-$50M."

Quite understandably, it was a subtle dig at CBS releasing the official statement for the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

While many believe political weight and Colbert's criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump is a reason behind cancelling the show, the funny performance concluded suddenly by showing a cartoon character of Donald Trump in the audience. 
The shot prompted Miranda to say,

"Tell me this has nothing to do with who we put a spotlight on."

Trump's animated character could be seen throwing away the logo of Paramount, with Stephen saying, 

"Your song has been cancelled."

Netizens react to the star-studded guest appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Like most celebrities and late night show hosts, the internet is supportive of Colbert in this cold fiasco. The network has been receiving backlash for concluding the globally popular show, whose last episode will air in May 2026. 

X users are discussing the sudden event on the platform and expressing their thoughts on the Monday episode. 

X user Nadine Babu (@NadineBabu) shared a video of eminent guests attending the show with a lambasting caption,

"Stephen Colbert just showing CBS/Paramount what a huge mistake they’re making (ratings and $ wise)."

Stephen Colbert just showing CBS/Paramount what a huge mistake they’re making (ratings and $ wise).

Had Lin-Manuel Miranda and Weird Al playing Coldplay to an audience of: Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart, Adam Sandler and more… pic.twitter.com/4PGK4350OU

— Nadine Babu (@NadineBabu) July 22, 2025

Delving deeper into the guest list, the netizen also added,

"Had Lin-Manuel Miranda and Weird Al playing Coldplay to an audience of: Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart, Adam Sandler and more…"

Another user, Heather Rule (@hlrule), responded to the rib-tickling sketch with a funny caption on the X platform.

And the "couple" for the viral moment at the end... chef's kiss.

— Heather Rule (@hlrule) July 22, 2025

Lauding it, the internet user penned:

"And the 'couple' for the viral moment at the end... chef's kiss."

Jon Stewart reacted to CBS calling off The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Apart from joining the soiree of hosts as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart reflected on the cancellation and stood beside his dear friend, Stephen Colbert, while discussing the sudden decision in one of his show's episodes. 

Expressing his thoughts on the cancellation of the late night show during the Monday episode of The Daily Show, Jon criticized CBS, saying,

"The fact that CBS didn’t try to save their No. 1 rated late-night franchise that’s been on the air for over three decades is part of what’s making everybody wonder … was this purely financial or maybe the path of least resistance for your $8 billion merger."

He did not hold himself back and slammed CBS and Paramount for the unexpected ending of the famous chat show. As cited by CNN, Stewart further ranted, adding,

"If you believe as corporations or as networks (that) you can make yourselves so innocuous, that you can serve gruel so flavorless that you will never again risk Trump’s ire, 'you are f*cking wrong.'"

A look at the official statement for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert 

Reuters reported that CBS executives elaborated on the reason behind coming to the conclusion to cancel the show. 

Claiming the decision stemmed from monetary purposes in an official statement, they noted that it was based on 

"purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night."

Highlighting several much-talked-about concerns and brushing off rumors, the statement also clarified,

"It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount."

While the decision to end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was announced recently, it has already witnessed a dip in viewership over the past years. 

Though many are wondering about the probability of politics intervening in the show's long run, an insider also revealed to Reuters that the show has recorded a noticeable decline in its revenue, possibly prompting its conclusion next year. As the former executive revealed to the outlet, the iconic show has already recorded $40 million in annual losses.

Starting from 2018, its advertising revenue experienced a major decline of 40%.  As per Guideline, the revenue reached as low as $70.2 million in 2024 in comparison to $121.1 million in 2018, as Reurers cited. 

In addition to a monetary dip, the show witnessed a decrease in overall viewership as well. From reporting 3.1 million spectators in the 2017-2018 season, as Nielsen data confirmed, the numbers have recently reduced to 1.9 million. A huge percentage of the audience has shifted from watching entertainment on television to streaming on mobile and other gadgets and scrolling on social media platforms.

CBS employees and staff find the decision to end the show unbelievable. They are surprised and confused at the same time. The New York Post confirmed a staffer's conversation with Fox News Digital, stating:

"I am having a hard time believing it."

The undisclosed employee further noted:

"I've lost interest in extreme POVs on either end, but I see this as a chilling of free speech and the timing seems to send a strong message that this is cause and effect for what he said about the settlement. The CBS leadership could have cloaked it somehow, but made a decision not to."

Adding their personal views on the incident, the staffer also explained:

"This one action against Colbert will change multiple peoples' willingness to give their opinions or perspectives – that’s how I see it."

Though the network attributed the decision to end the show to financial losses, the news was announced amid heightened political tensions.