Stephen Colbert made his first appearance on a late-night television show since the end of his long-running CBS series, joining Jimmy Kimmel Live! as a special guest. The appearance marked a return to the late-night scene for Colbert, who had stepped away from his own show after its final season. During the interview, he reflected on his time in the spotlight, saying he felt "happier and healthier" now that he no longer had to follow the daily news cycle, which he compared to "drinking a cup of poison every day." Colbert also addressed his former network, CBS, with his signature blend of humor and critique. When asked if CBS executives had congratulated him on his Emmy wins—seven in total for the final season of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, including Outstanding Variety Series—Colbert responded with sarcasm, suggesting that the network's leadership had not been particularly enthusiastic about his achievements. The end of Colbert's show in July 2025 came shortly after he publicly criticized Paramount, the parent company of CBS, for its $16 million settlement with former President Donald Trump over a 60 Minutes interview. This incident had sparked significant debate about media independence and ethics. Despite this, Colbert celebrated his Emmy wins and urged industry leaders to hire members of his former writing team, showing a continued interest in supporting the talent that helped shape his show. In another pointed remark, Colbert made a sarcastic comment about Bari Weiss, who was recently appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News. While specifics of his comment were not detailed, it is clear that Colbert continues to engage with the media landscape in his characteristic style—blending humor with sharp observations on the industry he once dominated.