Jimmy Kimmel reflects on the potential decline of late-night television.
In a recent Vulture interview, the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” host discussed the future of late-night TV after CBS canceled Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” and shared his own experiences with Trump, including a suspension due to remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death.
“I feel a bit defeated by this,” Kimmel remarked to Vulture after Colbert’s last episode aired on May 21. “In many ways, it feels like a glimpse into my own future.”
CBS decided to cancel “The Late Show” in July 2025, a year before Colbert’s contract was due to end. The network cited financial reasons, though there was speculation about Colbert’s anti-Trump stance being a factor, especially amid the Paramount-Skydance merger. Despite reports of the show losing $40 million annually, Kimmel expressed skepticism, referencing a 2023 New York Times article stating that Colbert was offered a five-year contract but chose a three-year term.
“Should I believe that they suddenly began losing $40 million yearly over those two years?” he questioned. “These numbers seem fabricated.”
Kimmel mentioned that ABC assured him his show remains profitable.
“More people are watching late-night TV than ever before, considering the combined views from online platforms and traditional TV ratings,” Kimmel stated, adding: “We’re not just fading away naturally. It’s more like we’re being undermined.”
However, Kimmel’s contract extension in December was only for one year instead of the usual three. “Everything is so unstable,” Kimmel explained to Vulture. “This approach seemed logical. It’s not how things were done in the past.”
When asked about retirement, Kimmel expressed uncertainty about his future plans. “Being responsible is important to me,” he said. “I could make a dramatic exit and receive a lot of praise, but it would be selfish.”
This is, of course, unless he is forced out first. Trump has frequently demanded Kimmel’s dismissal, most recently after Kimmel joked about Melania Trump looking like an “expectant widow.” Regarding both this instance and the Kirk situation, Kimmel said he “relied on truth as a defense. What if I genuinely do something wrong? It’s bound to happen.”
About the president, Kimmel commented: “I don’t love him or hate him. I feel sorry for him. It seems he wasn’t shown much affection.”
Read Kimmel’s complete Vulture profile here.
