The rumors about ABC Network firing Jimmy Kimmel are indeed untrue. Jimmy Kimmel is simply on his usual summer break, a tradition he has followed in the past as well.
During this break, his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, often features guest hosts, allowing various celebrities to fill in for him until his return.
Indeed, Jimmy Kimmel has taken breaks from hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live! before, such as in 2020, when guest hosts took over in his absence.
However, this time, rumours about his absence led to unfounded speculation that he had been fired from the show.
Earlier this year, Kimmel clarified his future with ABC in a conversation with the LA Times, confirming he had signed a new contract with the network for another two years.
While discussing the agreement, he hinted it could be his “final contract,” suggesting he might be considering retirement after this period.
However, he remains committed to the show for now, with guest hosts continuing to fill in during his summer break.
“I still have a little more than two years left on my contract, and that seems pretty good. That seems like enough,” he added.
It seems Jimmy Kimmel is still contemplating his future in late-night television.
Despite hinting that his current contract might be his last, he has also mentioned that he could resume work after a break, leaving room for the possibility that he might reconsider retiring.
Rumours of Kimmel being fired also surfaced last year after a cryptic segment on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
During his opening monologue, Kimmel addressed recent firings by major networks, mentioning that Fox News had let go of Tucker Carlson and CNN had dismissed Don Lemon on the same day. In his typical humorous style, he compared these high-profile firings to fast food icons, joking,
“This is like if Ronald McDonald and Burger King got fired on the same day.”
This playful comparison might have contributed to the confusion and speculation about Kimmel’s own status with ABC.
The rumours about Jimmy Kimmel being fired gained traction after a scripted bit on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last year.
Following Kimmel’s monologue about recent high-profile firings at Fox News and CNN, sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez interrupted with some “breaking news.”
In a seemingly serious tone, Rodriguez announced that ABC had decided to part ways with Kimmel after 20 years on the air, calling it a “mutual decision” and thanking Kimmel for his contributions.
This staged moment was meant to be humorous and entertain the audience. However, many viewers took the bit seriously, leading to a flurry of rumours about Kimmel’s future with ABC.
According to a source , the Jimmy Kimmel Live! team quickly clarified that the firing announcement was “merely a joke” and had no basis in reality.
The misunderstanding shows how easily scripted comedy can be misinterpreted, especially when it mimics real-world events.
