Jimmy Kimmel Addresses Late-Night Exit Plans Following Stephen Colbert Show End Announcement

Jimmy Kimmel is openly reflecting on the future of his own late-night career after CBS canceled Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show.” In an interview published Monday, Kimmel said he felt “a little bit defeated” by Colbert’s show ending and admitted that he sees the decision as a warning about what could happen to his own program. Kimmel has hosted “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on ABC since 2003, and the cancellation of another major late-night franchise has clearly intensified his thoughts about whether to continue or step away.

Kimmel pushed back against the argument that late-night television is no longer relevant. He said the claim that no one is watching is “silly,” insisting that the audience is still large when digital views and traditional television ratings are combined. According to Kimmel, late-night is not disappearing because of natural decline. He argued that the format is being undermined by outside forces, saying the genre is not “dying of natural causes” but is being “poisoned.”

The comedian also said he has not yet decided whether he will renew his ABC contract when it expires in May 2027 or choose retirement instead. He stressed that he wants to act responsibly and not leave the show in a dramatic move just for attention. While he acknowledged that ending the show in a big, celebrated way could bring applause, he said that would feel selfish. Kimmel said he does not yet know what he would do professionally after leaving late night, though he is clear about wanting more personal freedom. He said he wants to be able to fish when he feels like it and live without the demands of a nightly television schedule.

Kimmel’s longtime producer, Erin Irwin, said he has been discussing leaving for some time. She said she hopes the show can continue at least through the 2028 presidential election, but she is unsure whether Kimmel would want to stay on that long. She described him as tired, suggesting that the long-running host may be nearing the end of his run.

Colbert’s cancellation was announced in July 2025, and his final episode aired on May 21. CBS said the decision was purely financial and not related to the show’s content or performance. However, the move followed Colbert’s criticism of Paramount after the company settled a lawsuit with President Donald Trump for $16 million over a “60 Minutes” interview dispute involving Kamala Harris. The end of Colbert’s show prompted support from fellow late-night hosts, including Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, John Oliver and Jon Stewart, who appeared on the final episode.

For Kimmel, Colbert’s exit appears to have become both a personal and professional turning point as he considers how much longer late-night television can remain part of his future.