Jimmy Kimmel Says ‘I Don’t Know if There Will Be Any Late-Night Television Shows on Network TV in 10 Years’

As a seasoned movie critic with decades of watching late-night television under my belt, I must say that Jimmy Kimmel‘s recent remarks about the future of late-night network TV resonated deeply with me. Having grown up glued to Johnny Carson and David Letterman, it’s disheartening to see the landscape shifting so dramatically.


As a seasoned movie reviewer reflecting on the ever-evolving landscape of entertainment, I find myself pondering the longevity of late-night talk shows like my own, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, which has been gracing our screens for a remarkable 21 years. Delving into the future with my esteemed colleagues on the “Politickin’” podcast featuring Gavin Newsom, Marshawn Lynch, and Doug Hendrickson, I shared a thought-provoking insight: “I can’t help but wonder if there will still be late-night television shows airing on network TV in the next decade.”

He also mentioned, “There might be one or two, but not a multitude of them.” He explained, “With so many streaming services available today, viewers can watch whatever they want at any given moment. Previously, Johnny Carson was the only show on at 11:30 p.m., and everyone tuned in. After Johnny, David Letterman would come on, making it a must-watch duo for many. But now, there are numerous alternatives.”

Apart from having numerous choices, it was pointed out by Kimmel that the practice of streaming platforms such as YouTube and social media sites, which divide late-night shows into segments for post-episode viewing, has significantly decreased the necessity to watch episodes live.

“Perhaps more importantly, the ability for people to view your monologue online the day after it airs essentially eliminates the necessity to watch it live,” he stated. “If fewer and fewer viewers tune in when it’s on TV, networks will likely stop funding its production.”

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but reflect on the inevitable conclusion of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”. When the final episode airs and the show wraps up, I know full well that Jimmy Kimmel will face a challenging transition, navigating the next opportunity that comes his way.

“I’ll find it tough when this ends, it’s something that concerns me,” I admit. “Part of my motivation is the apprehension about that finale moment. Every time I believe this will be my last contract, only to sign another one, it’s due to the fear of that day after my final performance – that Tuesday following the last show, when I’d wonder, ‘What’s next?’ Opportunities for late-night hosts post their shows aren’t abundant. People often picture a talk show host in this role, but it’s not as if I’ll suddenly start acting in films.”

Jimmy Kimmel took a break from hosting “Jimmy Kimmel Live” during the summer. Instead, they’ve had other hosts fill in for him temporarily, such as Kathryn Hahn and Kumail Nanjiani. It is anticipated that Jimmy will be back when fall arrives.

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2024-08-13 16:16