It was only a matter of time before it happened.
Less than 24 hours after the first and only VP debate of 2024, Democratic candidate Tim Walz has chosen to sit down with Jimmy Kimmel on Monday, October 7 in what will be the Minnesota Governor’s first national late-night appearance. (Unless you count Andy Richter’s new role as Kimmel’s very own Walz.)
The Hollywood Reporter was first to report the news, with TV Features Editor Mikey O’Connell writing that “The booking is particularly interesting given the fact that neither presidential candidate nor their running mates have been on any of the late-night shows this campaign,” adding “Walz’s appearance on Kimmel is quite a get.”
Indeed, while elections past have seen political candidates storming the stages of late-night shows, including Saturday Night Live, the 2024 election has been rather quiet on that front. But the Harris campaign might see Jimmy Kimmel Live! as a safe space.
In June, Harris paid her own visit to the show, although that was nearly two months before Joe Biden bowed out of the race.
Since winning the nomination, Harris and her VP pick have been extremely selective about their national TV appearances, more commonly choosing to be interviewed by local news anchors in swing states.
That strategy may be changing. Just hours before Walz chats with Kimmel, he and his running mate have another national television engagement: a joint 60 Minutes interview, which is expected to tape this week, will air on CBS at 8 p.m. ET Monday.
