Is Jimmy Kimmel staying in late-night? Host signs new contract after temporary pull

Jimmy Kimmel is sticking around the late-night scene for another lap. The ABC host has signed a one-year extension to keep steering Jimmy Kimmel Live through May 2027.

The news was first reported by Bloomberg on Monday, Dec. 8, announcing that the host-comedian, who was suspended last September following his remarks about Charlie Kirk, will persist in hosting the weeknight program for another year.

The host added that four people were aware of the extension, though their names were kept under wraps.

Per the outlet, Jimmy Kimmel and Disney acquiesced regarding the lengthening of his contract months earlier, but they delayed the announcement out of respect for his fellow late-night host, Stephen Colbert. Last July, CBS confirmed that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert would conclude in May 2026.

Jimmy Kimmel's extension comes after his late-night show was put on an ad interim following his comments about the assassinated conservative speaker, Charlie Kirk.

In his monologue days after the firebrand's death, Kimmel suggested that President Donald Trump's political movement, MAGA (Make America Great Again), aimed to exploit Kirk's passing.

"We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it. In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving."

Jimmy Kimmel also poked fun at Trump for a specific comment he made.

"On Friday, the White House flew the flags at half-staff, which got some criticism. But on a human level, you can see how hard the president is taking this..."

The host played a footage where a reporter is seen asking the president how he was holding up following Kirk's death, to which Trump answered:

“I think very good, and by the way, right there, you see all the trucks? They've just started construction of the new ballroom for the White House."

Also Read: How did Erika Kirk respond to Jimmy Kimmel’s comments about her husband Charlie Kirk? Fox News interview sheds light on fallout

Jimmy Kimmel suspended following remarks over Charlie Kirk's death

Not long after his remarks, Jimmy Kimmel was suspended indefinitely, with Nexstar issuing a statement that it "strongly objects" to the comedian's comments.

"Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located."

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The statement went on:

"Continuing to give Mr. Kimmel a broadcast platform in the communities we serve is simply not in the public interest at the current time, and we have made the difficult decision to preempt his show in an effort to let cooler heads prevail as we move toward the resumption of respectful, constructive dialogue."

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