CONTRACT UPDATE Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night TV future revealed 3 months after talk show was abruptly pulled from air for days
JIMMY Kimmel’s fate on ABC has been revealed following a tumultuous year with the network over the host’s shocking suspension.
The late-night host’s current deal ends in May 2026, and it appeared as though it would be the end of his time with Disney after the company temporarily pulled the plug on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in September.
Despite all of the ups and downs both in front of and behind the camera, Jimmy, 58, will indeed be returning to ABC.
The comedian has signed a one-year extension deal with Disney to continue hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live!, according to Deadline.
As his current contract ran through May 2026, the extension means Jimmy will be continuing his talk show until at least May 2027.
It is allegedly Jimmy’s final time signing a deal for the talk show, signaling the end of his long-running series, the outlet reports.
The decision comes fresh off both professional hardships and personal tragedies for Jimmy.
In November, Jimmy broke down in tears as he announced the death of his childhood best friend and the show’s band leader, Cleto Escobedo.
He first revealed the tragic news in an Instagram, writing: “Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III.
“To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement. Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old.
“The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true.
“Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.”
The following day, he discussed Cleto’s life and the profound impact he had on Jimmy during a heartwrenching 20-minute monologue.
Jimmy broke down in tears as he discussed Cleto’s musical talents, his love for being a husband and father, and the trouble they would get into as teens growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The pair had worked together since Jimmy Kimmel Live! premiere back in 2003.
Cleto’s death came just after Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned to air following its temporary suspension back in September.
As The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed, the decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! was made just minutes before taping began on Wednesday, September 17th.
The decision came in the wake of comments Jimmy made about political podcast host Charlie Kirk’s death.
Charlie Kirk was killed on September 10th while speaking with students at Utah Valley University in Orem, and many felt that Jimmy’s comments were insensitive at the time.
Following outrage from right-leaning political figures, including President Donald Trump, ABC abruptly announced it had suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live.
The move caused worldwide outrage, as many felt it violated America’s right to free speech.
Following nearly a week off the air, ABC issued a statement confirming that “thoughtful discussions” had taken place with Jimmy following his suspension.
“Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country.
“It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive.
“We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday,” they mentioned in September.
