Following the conclusion of "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," the landscape of late-night television appears increasingly sparse, with one fewer host on the air. Few have been as vocal about the genre's current turmoil as Jimmy Kimmel.
Kimmel's Reaction to Colbert's Finale
The veteran late-night host did not hold back last month when he criticized CBS for what he described as "pushing" Colbert and his team out, as "The Late Show" aired its last episode. Reflecting on this, Kimmel shared his thoughts on his potential departure from late-night in a recent interview with Vulture.
"I feel a little bit defeated by it," Kimmel told the publication regarding Colbert's farewell show. "In many ways, I feel like I'm looking at my own future."
This sentiment nearly became a reality for Kimmel after ABC suspended his show in September, following his comments on President Donald Trump's reaction to the assassination attempt on Charlie Kirk. The network reinstated the show less than a week later, but ongoing threats from Trump and discussions about the decline of late-night persist. However, Kimmel believes the numbers tell a different story.
Late-Night's Relevance in the Digital Age
"Far more people are watching late-night TV than ever before, if you consider the online views my colleagues and I receive daily, combined with our linear-television ratings," Kimmel stated, dismissing the notion that the genre has become less relevant as "silly."
He further elaborated, "We're not just dying of natural causes. We're being poisoned." Kimmel pointed to CBS's reported encouragement for Colbert to sign a five-year contract in 2023—he eventually signed a three-year deal—only to cancel "The Late Show" two years later, citing financial losses of approximately $40 million annually.
Kimmel's Future at ABC
Kimmel's contract with ABC is currently uncertain, with an expiration date in May 2027. It remains unclear whether he will negotiate a new agreement or announce his retirement, but he has given considerable thought to how his tenure might conclude.
"It's important to me to be responsible," Kimmel explained. "I know I could go out in a blaze of glory and receive much applause, but that would be a very selfish move."
He added, "Professionally, I have no idea what I'll do after this. Freedom is what I want most. I want to be able to go fishing when the fishing is good."
For now, "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" continues to air weeknights on ABC at 11:35 p.m. ET. Upcoming guests this week include Kevin Hart, Draymond Green, and Johnny Knoxville.
