Jimmy Kimmel’s future on late-night television has been confirmed, months after his talk show was abruptly suspended following a high-profile political controversy.
ABC has offered the comedian and host a one-year contract extension for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, extending his tenure beyond his previous multiyear deal, which had been scheduled to end in May 2026. The new agreement will keep Kimmel on the air until 2027.
Addressing the announcement during Monday night’s broadcast, the 58-year-old host joked that he would remain at the helm “until May 2027 — or until the world ends, whichever comes first.”
“I gave it a lot of thought,” Kimmel added dryly, “and decided I would like to spend less time with my family.”
Kimmel also used the moment to poke fun at U.S. President Donald Trump, challenging him to a tongue-in-cheek “talent competition” after Trump recently labeled him a “horrible” host.
The renewal comes three months after Jimmy Kimmel Live! was temporarily suspended following Kimmel’s on-air remarks about the “MAGA gang” and political reactions to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University during his American Comeback Tour. On the day of the killing, Kimmel posted a statement expressing condolences and condemning gun violence.
“Instead of the angry finger-pointing,” Kimmel wrote at the time, “can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human?”
Days later, however, Kimmel drew criticism after suggesting in his opening monologue that former President Trump and his supporters were politicizing Kirk’s death to “score political points.” The comments triggered swift backlash, prompting ABC to suspend the show indefinitely.
Following what the network described as “thoughtful conversations” between Kimmel and executives, the decision was made to bring the program back less than a week later.
When he returned to the stage on Sept. 23, Kimmel appeared emotional as he addressed his audience directly.
“It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” he said. “There is nothing funny about it.”
He added that he did not intend to blame any group for the actions of what he described as “a deeply disturbed individual,” noting that his remarks may have been “ill-timed or unclear — or maybe both.”
Although Kimmel stopped short of issuing a formal apology, he acknowledged the public reaction, telling viewers, “I get why you’re upset.”
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