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🇮🇸 Iceland /Culture & Society

Jimmy Kimmel hints at ending his talk show

From Morgunblaðið · () Icelandic

Translated from Icelandic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Jimmy Kimmel, host of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!', has hinted at ending his long-running talk show.
  • He expressed disappointment over the cancellation of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert', seeing it as a reflection of his own potential future.
  • Despite speculation, Kimmel's contract has been extended, ensuring 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' will continue until at least 2027.

Veteran talk show host Jimmy Kimmel has strongly suggested that his time at the helm of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' may be drawing to a close. In a recent interview, the 58-year-old, who has hosted the show since 2003, discussed his future with ABC and the current state of the late-night television landscape.

For six years ago, I told them I would probably be done when Biden became president.

— Jimmy KimmelKimmel discussing his original timeline for leaving his show.

Kimmel revealed that his original plan was to step down in 2020, coinciding with the end of Donald Trump's presidency. "Six years ago, I told them I would probably be done when Biden became president," he told Vulture. This timeline did not materialize, and Kimmel has continued on screen.

He also shared his dismay over the recent cancellation of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'. "I'm a little broken up about it," Kimmel said after Colbert's final episode on May 21. "In many ways, I feel like I'm watching my own future."

I'm a little broken up about it. In many ways, I feel like I'm watching my own future.

— Jimmy KimmelKimmel reacting to the cancellation of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'.

Despite concerns about the declining viewership of talk shows, Kimmel argued that overall ratings, including online and traditional television, show more people are watching than ever before. His longtime producer, Erin Irwin, echoed his sentiments, noting Kimmel's long-held desire to retire. While she hopes he continues past the 2028 presidential election, she acknowledged his fatigue, stating, "I don't know if Jimmy can do this for so long. He's tired."

I don't know if Jimmy can do this for so long. He's tired.

— Erin IrwinKimmel's producer expressing concerns about his workload.

Kimmel himself admitted to having no clear plans for life after talk shows, expressing a desire for "freedom" above all else. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has been critical of talk show hosts, suggesting Colbert's departure signals "the beginning of the end" for others he deems overpaid and unfunny. Nevertheless, 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' is confirmed to remain on air until at least 2027, following an extension of Kimmel's contract.

I have no idea what I do after this. Freedom is what I want more than anything.

— Jimmy KimmelKimmel on his plans after leaving his talk show.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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