Jimmy Kimmel Might Retire From Late-Night ‘Live!’ in 2019
The late-night wars have seen a surprising shift in recent months, as Colbert’s Late Show begins to overtake Fallon’s Tonight Show ratings, but might we be in for another shake-up soon? Perhaps over at ABC, as Jimmy Kimmel is apparently considering leaving Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2019.
Sunday’s Oscar host Kimmel indicated as much in a new interview with Variety, noting that he might not renew his current Jimmy Kimmel Live! contract after its expiration in fall 2019.
I know I will do the show for another three years. It’s possible that will be it. My wife’s pregnant. At a certain point, I’d like to have a little more free time. I have very little free time as it is. […]
I think this job is a grind, and best-cast scenario, a marathon. I want to go out on my own terms. If I ever feel like we’re repeating ourselves, I think it’s a good indication that it’s time.
Worth noting, Kimmel also clarified that he wouldn’t necessarily consider leaving Jimmy Kimmel Live! for another late-night venture, but only “something that excites me creatively,” which “doesn’t necessarily mean something in show business.” For its part, the ABC series began in 2003, and in recent years has become a frequent home to major Disney releases, including Marvel and Star Wars trailers, to say nothing of Kimmel’s Oscar and Emmy coverage.
That’s certainly long enough behind the desk for Kimmel to consider retirement, but how might ABC look to replace him? Can we finally get a woman or someone of color behind a network desk, or are more political shows like Full Frontal and Last Week Tonight the new vogue?