Howard Stern used a visit to Jimmy Kimmel Live! Tuesday night to make the case for ABC to keep Jimmy Kimmel around—warningthat the network will have “hell to pay” if it doesn’t.
“I’ve heard many rumors about this show. I don’t know if they’re true or false,” Stern told Kimmel. “But I want to say something to ABC, if they’re watching right now: There is no man more loyal to this company than this guy.”
Stern’s comments come as Kimmel is reportedly in intense negotiations with ABC over a new contract, with his current deal set to expire in May 2027. The network earlier this month denied a tabloid report claiming it had decided not to renew the show.
Stern’s declaration drew cheers and applause from the studio audience, with the radio host calling Kimmel “a real human being” and “an emotional and feeling man.”
Stern then pointed to Kimmel’s willingness to participate in network events as evidence of that loyalty.
“ABC has a corporate function, they try to attract advertisers, and he goes to the upfronts,” Stern said. “Why? They don’t pay you. He said, ‘I go because it’s ABC, and they need me to do it.’ And you’ve gone to every charity event they’ve ever asked you to attend.”
Stern added, “He’s done everything for the company, and I hope they keep that in mind.”
“Thank you, I appreciate that,” Kimmel replied.
Stern then turned his appeal into a warning.
Addressing the audience, Stern said, “I don’t know about you, but if something goes wrong, is ABC going to have hell to pay, am I correct? Are you with me?”
The crowd answered with cheers and applause.
Stern’s warning carried some weight. Kimmel’s brief suspension last year came to a screeching halt after viewers and industry leaders rallied behind him, with many canceling their Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions and others threatening to boycott Disney Parks.
Watch Stern’s full exchange with Kimmel at the top of this post.
