Late Night’s Future in Jeopardy: Kimmel and Meyers Weigh In!

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The world of entertainment is constantly evolving, as demonstrated by the shifting trends within the 2025 TV lineup. However, no sector seems to grapple with such uncertainty more than late-night programming. While significant changes like those seen in “The Tonight Show” are notable examples, the situation isn’t yet catastrophic. Nevertheless, recent predictions from Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers suggest that aspiring talk show hosts should be prepared to modify their expectations about where this field is headed.

Jimmy Kimmel’s Late Night Prediction Puts The Format At Odds With The Internet

It’s disappointing to learn this, but as per Jimmy Kimmel Live’s host himself, there might only be one late-night network TV show remaining within the next decade. He shared this view during an interview on the podcast Politickin’ with Gavin Newsom, Marshawn Lynch, and Doug Hendrickson. Interestingly, a longtime figure in this format at ABC doesn’t foresee a bright future for the genre that Johnny Carson played a significant role in shaping. Upon examining his reasoning behind this prediction, it regrettably aligns with reality.

Originally, Johnny Carson was the sole late-night television option at 11:30, which meant everyone tuned in. However, with an abundance of choices now available and the convenience of watching monologues online the following day, the necessity to watch live broadcasts diminishes. This decrease in viewership during airtime could eventually lead networks to discontinue production of such programs due to lack of financial return.

It’s surprising to note that due to the viewing habits of today’s audience, Jimmy Kimmel thinks the internet has lessened the competition among his peers. Although you might still notice fans rating late-night hosts and weekly reports boasting about who’s leading, figures such as Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon aren’t competing fiercely like Letterman and Leno did in the ’90s.

From my perspective as a devoted movie enthusiast, I wholeheartedly support Jimmy Kimmel’s stance on the issue at hand. Yet, it’s important to note that this viewpoint is tinged with a touch of bittersweet introspection about my own professional journey. However, amidst all this reflection, there’s a glimmer of optimism that things will continue to progress positively in the world of entertainment.

Seth Meyers’ Take On Late Night’s Future Is Reverent, But Optimistic

In an interview with Variety about his stand-up special “Dad Man Walking”, Seth Meyers expressed agreement with his ABC counterpart, Jimmy Kimmel, regarding their understanding of the present late-night television landscape. To put it simply, Meyers praised Kimmel as the host who grasps the essence of current late-night programming best.

Pondering the possible demise of late-night television, Meyers expressed his appreciation for his entry into the scene, and felt a sense of disappointment for those aspiring to be the next big thing in this format who won’t have that opportunity. However, he balanced this perspective with a touch of optimism, suggesting:

“He acknowledged it might not be as accessible for others to break into late-night as it was for him, but he also emphasized that there could always be new opportunities and platforms emerging.

…when considering podcasts, they possess an equivalent widespread influence as we’ve ever known. With intriguing personalities utilizing the tools at their disposal to connect with audiences, it’s clear that if you admire late-night talk shows, some disappointment may lie ahead. However, if laughter and engaging conversations are your forte, there’s always a plentiful supply.

This is a pivotal time for late-night TV enthusiasts, particularly those who were fans during the final years of Johnny Carson. The cancellation of shows like “After Midnight” has left CBS without a post-Colbert program, and Jimmy Kimmel’s rumors of retirement are adding to the uncertainty. It seems that another new era in late-night TV might be on the horizon.

It’s disheartening to witness such a significant change from the golden era of talk shows, but taking into account the predictions made by Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers, it’s reassuring to realize that humor based on current events will never lose its appeal. The main difference might be in the way it’s delivered, or where it’s broadcasted. Currently, you can catch Jimmy Kimmel Live every weeknight at 11:35 p.m. ET on ABC, and Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:35 a.m. ET on NBC.

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2025-06-20 03:08