Jimmy Kimmel has been hosting a late-night show at ABC since 2003. However, his show was nearly canceled in September 2025 when he was suspended by the network. He eventually returned, but many fear the writing is on the wall. Now he’s exploring his career options for when his late-night show ends. Keep reading for all the details on the surprising move.
Future Of Late-Night Talk Shows In Doubt
If you’re a night owl, you’ve likely watched a late-night talk show here or there over the years. Perhaps you’re a regular viewer of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NBC’s The Tonight Show or another show that comes on after the 11 P.M. news. But one show viewers won’t be watching much longer is Stephen Colbert’s CBS late-night show.
The network announced last year that they were canceling the show, citing money issues. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert goes off the air on May 21. CBS is replacing it with a much cheaper comedy show. ABC subtly hinted that Jimmy Kimmel’s show could end when they renewed it for only one year instead of the standard 3-4 year renewal.
Jimmy Kimmel Exploring Career Options Amid Cancellations
A source told The National Enquirer that the talk show host felt the one-year renewal was a “slap in the face.” The insider said, “It’s a pretty clear signal that network bosses are at least contemplating replacing the show.” Luckily, Jimmy Kimmel already has a backup plan.
The source revealed that his production company, Kimmelot, develops different game shows to pitch to ABC. Jimmy Kimmel already hosts the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? reboot. The talk show host reportedly idolizes Merv Griffin, the man who created Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.
If Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show ends, he already has a backup plan in place. “Unlike a lot of the other late night hosts with declining ratings, he’s actually built out an infrastructure that can keep making popular and inexpensive TV shows even if the whole late night comedy genre goes away,” the source shared.
Whether hosting or behind-the-scenes creating game shows, Jimmy Kimmel won’t disappear from the public eye if ABC cancels his late-night show in 2027 when his new contract expires.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! has faced scrutiny from the FCC over the host’s comments about Charlie Kirk’s murder. Those comments led to the suspension. However, the show often comes under fire from the White House for its constant jabbing at President Trump and his administration’s policies.
Daytime talk show The View is also under the watchful eye of the FCC. At this point, ABC hasn’t given any real indication that they plan to cancel the late-night show. However, Jimmy Kimmel has a backup plan just in case. Tell us in the comments if you think ABC will cancel the show in 2027.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger