Late-night viewers got an unexpected and somber twist in the opening of the Tuesday, Nov. 11 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! . Host Jimmy Kimmel announced that the show will cancel the remaining two episodes this week, in the wake of the death of his longtime bandleader and childhood friend ,Cleto Escobedo III.
Escobedo died on Nov. 11, at the age of 59. Kimmel took some 20 minutes during Tuesday’s episode to remember Escobedo, recalling how they first met as neighbors in Las Vegas, how they remained inseparable, and how Kimmel pushed for Escobedo to become the leader of the show’s house band (Cleto and the Cletones) on Jimmy Kimmel Live! when it launched in 2003. Escobedo's father, Cleto Escobedo Jr., and member of the Cletones was also in his usual spot with the band.
Kimmel then shared that the show will cancel the episodes scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. The comedian also revealed that the decision to go ahead with Tuesday’s show was a tribute to Escobedo specifically because the night’s guest, Eddie Murphy, was someone Escobedo admired. Kimmel effectively told the audience they were doing this one night because Escobedo wouldn’t have wanted them to miss it.
The week had been publicly billed as "'80s Week” on the show, a nostalgic theme spanning multiple guests and musical acts aligned with the era. On Wednesday night, Danny DeVito was the scheduled guest, with musical guest Howard Jones and Debbie Gibson. Thursday night's show intended to welcome Jason Bateman and Mr. T with musical guest Susanna Hoffs.
When could Jimmy Kimmel Live! return?
Jimmy Kimmel Live! fans were left asking questions last week when ABC unexpectedly announced that the Thursday, Nov. 6 episode had been cancelled. At the time, it was attributed to a "personal matter" involving Kimmel. Multiple outlets have now reported Escobedo's health was behind the decision for Kimmel to abruptly cancel filming. No cause of death for the musician has been made public.
The timing, with a themed week in motion, adds an extra layer of poignancy. “'80s Week” was meant to bring fun, nostalgia, and a retro throwback vibe. That has to now hit extra hard for Kimmel, who used his platform to look back on life as Escobedo's best friend in the early '80s.
No official return date has been set for Jimmy Kimmel Live!. However, it's expected that he'll be back on ABC on Monday, Nov. 17.