Jimmy Kimmel wanted to share the big news of his new contract with his audience Monday night, but he also wanted to be sure he had the attention of his most dedicated follower—the one who has spent years setting Kimmel up to be the late-night host most likely to earn a standing ovation every night.
Yes, that Trump guy.
Before Kimmel got to the announcement that he’s signed a new deal keeping him behind the desk through May 2027, he delivered his usual double-barrel of mockery at the President of the United States.
This time it centered on Trump’s hosting of the Kennedy Center Honors, where he suggested that if he couldn’t do it with more talent than when “Jimmy Kimmel hosted,” he might have to give up being President altogether.
Kimmel gleefully noted he has never hosted the event. But he welcomed the idea of a talent competition—matching his own skills (telling a few jokes, drawing, playing the clarinet) against Trump’s ability to “golf, spank a porn star, and ruin a country.”
He eventually circled back to express concern for a clearly distressed president.
Trump had spent part of the day venting online about his apostate former loyal supporter, Marjorie Traitor (née Taylor) Greene, after catching her appearance on 60 Minutes and disliking the non-toady-like things she’s been saying about him lately.
He also railed at Paramount, owner of CBS—a company he once embraced as an ally during the turbulent period when another late-night bete noire, Stephen Colbert, was being pushed out—and which he now accused of giving Greene a platform for her supposed betrayal.
“I’m sorry that you feel that way about 60 Minutes,” Kimmel told him. “And the last thing I want to do is upset you at this sensitive time, but I have one more bit of entertainment news to share. I have decided to extend my contract here at ABC for another year.”
Officially: “Our show has been renewed until May of 2027, or until the world ends—whichever comes first.”
That’s significant late-night news, cheered loudly by Kimmel’s studio audience—though not, presumably, by the guy in the big old house next to the construction site in Washington.
The ovation was enthusiastic enough that Kimmel called it “too much” and “a bit embarrassing.” He’s never been one for excessive adulation.
But the reaction made sense. Kimmel and his audience have been through a lot this year, including a genuine brush with the abyss—otherwise known as a suspension.
Which is why one phrase from Kimmel stood out: “I have decided to extend my contract.” That wording suggested a choice that belonged to him. And it likely did.
Few performers in recent memory have taken firmer charge of their careers than Kimmel did this year, after a MAGA-sparked backlash thrust the show directly into Trump’s bullseye—and after Trump prematurely declared victory, insisting he’d gotten what he wanted: Jimmy Kimmel gone.
Kimmel’s return, following what has been reported as lengthy, personal talks with Disney leadership Bob Iger and Dana Walden, signaled that ABC still had plans for the show.
Monday’s announcement made that official.
But the shape of the deal was also notable. Kimmel’s previous renewals with ABC were for three years. This one covers only a single year.
A three-year extension would have been symbolically powerful—and would, not incidentally, match the amount of time Trump has left in his current term.
ABC could have underscored its commitment by locking in Kimmel for the long haul.
It didn’t. And we may learn more about that decision as ABC’s broader late-night plans become clearer.
Still, the news generated instant headlines on CNN and elsewhere—a reminder of how central Kimmel has become in the cultural-political landscape, a position that still seems to surprise even him.
He’s spent the past few years leaving unsubtle hints that he had at least a few toes out the door.
Last night, he joked: “I gave it a lot of thought and decided I would like to spend less time with my family,” a line carrying a whiff of ambivalence.
But he also told viewers: “I’m humbled to be part of your routine… It means a lot to me to have your attention and to work with a great group of people for another year.”
Where does it all go from here?
Most likely, for at least one more year: more sparring, more politics, and many more jokes—though not necessarily from both sides.
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I wouldn’t be surprised if Kimmel literally decided to take it just one year at a time, and if he decides to renew again next year, he can. I just hope that this means Colbert will be one of his guest hosts next summer after the Late Show is done.
Colbert as a summer guest would be the funniest booking Kimmel and co. would cook up, but it all depends on whether or not Colbert is available to travel to LA outside Emmy Awards season~
Knowing that our dozing President is obsessed over Kimmel and his show, Colbert guest hosting would be the biggest troll where he gets the last laugh~
As recently as the pandemic, Kimmel had talked about retiring.