Jimmy Kimmel isn’t ready to say how much longer he’ll be behind the desk at Jimmy Kimmel Live!. The ABC host has been a fixture in late-night television for more than two decades, blending comedy, celebrity interviews, and pointed political commentary. But while his late-night colleagues have largely committed to staying the course, Kimmel sounds increasingly uncertain about whether he’ll extend his run beyond his current deal.
After picking up an Emmy for Outstanding Host For A Game Show for his work on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Kimmel talked about his late-night TV future. “I’m not prepared to answer that question, it’s something I think about a lot, things have changed a lot over the last few years, the last nine years, each day is a new adventure and I kind of take them as they come,” he said (via Deadline).
Kimmel has been taking summers off for several years now, fueling speculation that he’s slowly transitioning out of the nightly grind. He has also previously hinted that retirement was on his mind even before his most recent contract, which runs through 2026. That deal could mark a natural endpoint for Kimmel, who has been on ABC since 2003 and is now the longest-tenured late-night host still doing a nightly show.
The cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert also seems to have made Kimmel reassess his career path. Earlier this month, Kimmel suggested there is "no future" for late-night TV. Then, an insider report indicated Kimmel desires to walk away from the genre on his own terms, unlike Colbert getting axed by CBS.
If Kimmel does step down, he would join the likes of Conan O’Brien and David Letterman as hosts who chose their own moment to leave rather than being pushed out. Both framed their exits as the right move at the right time, giving themselves space for new creative pursuits. Kimmel, who has produced TV specials, hosted awards shows, and explored side projects, seems poised for a similar pivot whenever he decides to move on.
What makes Kimmel’s situation especially interesting is how it compares to his peers. Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers are all signed to long-term deals with NBC, and neither has suggested they’re considering an exit anytime soon. In fact, Meyers is on record as saying he wants to do Late Night as long as possible. And Fallon doesn't seem eager to leave The Tonight Show, no matter what the president posts.
Kimmel's (and late-night's) uncertainty is part of what makes watching Kimmel so fascinating right now. Every new contract milestone feels like it could be his last. For fans, the next year and a half will be about enjoying Kimmel's run while wondering if ABC is already preparing for a future without him or if Kimmel himself will decide he has more late-night left in him after 2026.