Jimmy Kimmel is staying in late-night television for at least another year. On Monday, December 8, 2025, it was reported that Kimmel, 58, signed a one-year contract extension for Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC, keeping the show on the air through 2027.
Extension Comes Amid Political Controversy
Kimmel’s new deal comes amid continued calls from former President Donald Trump to cancel the long-running late-night show. Trump, 79, has criticized Kimmel on Truth Social, labeling him as having “no talent,” “very poor television ratings,” and even calling him a “bum.”
The extension also follows the show’s six-day suspension in September 2025, when ABC pulled the program after Kimmel made controversial remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death. At the time, Disney/ABC described the comments as “offensive and insensitive” and explained that suspending the show was necessary “to let cooler heads prevail” and allow for respectful dialogue in political discourse.
Return to Air and Ratings Boost
Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned to the air on September 24, 2025, with Kimmel paying tribute to Charlie Kirk and his widow, Erika Kirk, in his monologue. Two days later, Kimmel jokingly thanked Trump for the suspension after it was revealed that the show’s post-hiatus episode achieved its second-highest ratings in almost 23 years.
“We couldn’t have done it without you, Mr. President,” Kimmel quipped on-air.
Despite political pressures and public controversy, Kimmel has maintained a strong following, cementing his place in the late-night television landscape.
Kimmel’s Thoughts on His Show’s Future
Prior to his suspension, Kimmel had been candid about the potential end of his late-night career. In February 2024, he told the Los Angeles Times that the three-year contract he signed in 2022 might be his last.
“I hate to even say it, because everyone’s laughing at me now — each time I think that, and then it turns out to be not the case,” he joked.
“I still have a little more than two years left on my contract, and that seems pretty good. That seems like enough.”
The new extension through 2027 now ensures that Kimmel and his team will continue delivering comedy, interviews, and political commentary to ABC viewers.
Jimmy Kimmel Live!: Legacy and Impact
Since its debut in 2003, Jimmy Kimmel Live! has become a staple of late-night entertainment, featuring celebrity interviews, comedy sketches, and high-profile musical performances. Kimmel has often used his platform to address current events, politics, and cultural issues, sometimes sparking controversy but consistently maintaining viewer engagement.
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