The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon will air a rerun on May 21, coinciding with the finale of CBS' The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! will also go dark that night, according to announcements made on Monday.
Late-Night Solidarity
The decision to air reruns reflects what NBC described as "a sign of late-night solidarity." Fallon, Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver recently appeared on The Late Show to discuss Colbert's departure and announced a new episode of their Strike Force Five podcast will release Wednesday.
Fallon's Reflections
"Late night is one of those things that's been around our whole lives," said Fallon on Colbert's show. "I never thought it was a job when I was growing up. I just thought Johnny Carson came with the television set. People wanna go to sleep, have a good laugh and go to bed happy."
While the current late-night hosts are competitors, Fallon and Colbert's relationship contrasts with the rivalry of David Letterman and Jay Leno in the 1990s. Fallon previously sang Frank Sinatra's "My Way" with modified lyrics on The Late Show in March.
Programming Changes
The Tonight Show typically airs repeats on Fridays, but it will broadcast a new episode on May 22 featuring guests Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and musical guest Maluma. Coincidentally, May 22 marks the debut of Byron Allen's Comics Unleashed in CBS' 11:35 p.m. slot. Allen's company will buy airtime from CBS and sell ads against it.
End of an Era
The end of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert marks a significant moment in late-night television, with other hosts honoring Colbert's impact on the industry. The camaraderie among hosts reflects mutual respect and admiration, indicating a shift from past rivalries.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/jimmy-fallon-tonight-show-rerun-late-show-finale-1236593559/
