Jimmy Kimmel, the beloved host of the Emmy Award-winning ABC late-night talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, has recently dropped hints that his tenure in the hot seat may be approaching its conclusion. As the show enters its 19th season, Kimmel regularly welcomes some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry onto his stage. However, in a candid interview, the comedian revealed that he might be ready to step away from the spotlight.
Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Kimmel shared, “I think this is my final contract.” Despite the laughter that accompanies such statements, Kimmel expressed a genuine sentiment, acknowledging, “I hate to even say it, because everyone’s laughing at me now – each time I think that, and then it turns out to be not the case.” With a little over two years left on his current contract, Kimmel reflected that it seems like a sufficient amount of time.
This contemplation of retirement isn’t entirely new for Kimmel. He admitted that last summer, he was seriously considering retiring until the Writers Guild of America strike intervened, prompting him to reconsider. “It’s hard to yearn for it when you’re doing it,” Kimmel remarked, emphasizing the demanding nature of his job. Recalling a particularly exhausting evening spent revising scripts for the Oscars, Kimmel confessed, “Wednesday night, I was very tired and I had all these scripts to go through – I had to revise and rewrite all these pitch ideas for the Oscars – and I was literally nodding off onto my computer.”
Despite the occasional fatigue, Kimmel remains uncertain about what the future holds for him once he steps down from his late-night hosting duties. “It might not be anything that anyone other than me is aware of,” he mused. “I have a lot of hobbies — I love to cook, I love to draw, I imagine myself learning to do sculptures.” Kimmel also acknowledged his tendency to think about unexplored interests, predicting that even in his final moments, he’ll likely lament the things he never had the chance to pursue.
These retirement musings come on the heels of ABC’s decision to renew “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for an additional three years back in September 2022, indicating the network’s continued confidence in Kimmel’s ability to entertain audiences night after night. As speculation swirls regarding Kimmel’s potential departure, fans and industry insiders alike eagerly await any official announcements regarding the future of late-night television.
In the world of entertainment, where change is constant and new talent is always emerging, Kimmel’s potential exit from late-night television marks the end of an era for many viewers who have grown accustomed to his wit, humor, and unique brand of interviewing style. Yet, as one chapter closes, another inevitably begins, and whatever Kimmel chooses to pursue next, one thing is certain: his indelible mark on the late-night landscape will endure for years to come.
