End of Jimmy Kimmel Live rumoured but ABC disputes speculation
A Daily Mail poll piece examines reports that this season of "Jimmy Kimmel Live" could be the host's last, after Page Six suggested the long-running ABC late-night show may be wound down next year. The claim is notable because Kimmel had reportedly signed a contract extension through May 2027, and ABC has pushed back against the report, disputing that a final season has been decided. The piece invites readers to weigh in on whether they would miss Kimmel's regular jokes about Donald Trump if the show does end.
The article, published by the Daily Mail's political reporter on 10 September 2026, frames the story primarily as a reader poll rather than a confirmed news development, with ABC's denial cited as the key counterpoint to the Page Six report. Beyond the dispute over the show's future, the piece contains limited further detail, focusing instead on prompting audience opinion via the poll and the outlet's "DC Insider" newsletter sign-up.
- Report claims this season of Kimmel's show may be his last
- ABC disputes the report; Kimmel's deal reportedly runs to May 2027
- Daily Mail poll asks if readers would miss his Trump jokes
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Those who would welcome the show's continuation, or regret its end, argue that Kimmel's nightly monologues represent a long tradition of political satire holding power to account, using humour to process serious news in an accessible way. They see figures like Trump as legitimate targets for comedic scrutiny given their public role, and view a healthy media landscape as one that includes irreverent, opinionated voices alongside straight news reporting, with audience ratings and cultural longevity justifying the format's continued place on network television.
The case against
Those less sorry to see the show wound down, or sceptical of its value, argue that Kimmel's routine political jokes have become predictably one-sided, alienating a large segment of viewers who feel comedy should either be genuinely balanced or stay out of partisan politics altogether. They contend that late-night hosts wield outsized influence to shape opinion under the guise of entertainment without the accountability expected of news programming, and that declining ratings for the genre reflect a broader public fatigue with celebrities editorialising on politics rather than simply entertaining.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “POLL: If Jimmy Kimmel’s show really ends next year, will you miss his Trump jokes? Have your say in DC Insider”.