You've probably seen the headlines or noticed your DVR didn't record a new episode for a minute and wondered if the lights finally went out at the El Capitan Entertainment Centre. Honestly, the answer to is Jimmy Kimmel coming back on the air isn't just a simple "yes"—it’s a weirdly complicated saga involving the FCC, a high-profile suspension, and a contract that was supposed to end but didn't.
Jimmy Kimmel is officially back and isn't going anywhere until at least May 2027.
But man, the path to get here was messy. In September 2025, the show didn't just go on a standard vacation. It was yanked. ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air for six days after some controversial comments regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. It wasn't just a slap on the wrist; the network called his remarks "offensive and insensitive" at a time when political tensions were already through the roof.
The Suspension That Almost Ended It All
Kimmel admitted later on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that he thought he was done. "I thought that it's over," he told Colbert. He basically expected to never walk back onto that stage. The FCC Chairman at the time, Brendan Carr, had publicly pressured Disney to take action, and major affiliate groups like Sinclair and Nexstar were already preempting the show in certain markets.
It felt like the end of an era.
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Then, just as quickly as he was gone, he was back. Disney/ABC reinstated him after a week of "thoughtful conversations," and surprisingly, the controversy didn't tank his ratings. It actually did the opposite. People tuned in to see if he'd double down or apologize. He did a bit of both, in his own way, while surviving a barrage of Truth Social posts from Donald Trump calling for him to be "fired immediately."
Is Jimmy Kimmel coming back on the air for the long haul?
If you're asking if he's back right now, the answer is yes. But if you’re asking about his future, things get a little more "wait and see."
On December 8, 2025, Kimmel officially signed a one-year contract extension.
This was a huge deal because his previous contract was set to expire in May 2026. For a long time, Kimmel had been dropping hints that he was tired. He’s been doing this for over 20 years. He told the Los Angeles Times back in 2024 that he thought his current deal would be his last. But then, as he often does, he changed his mind.
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Why the one-year extension matters
A one-year deal is kinda rare for a guy of his stature. Usually, these late-night heavyweights sign three-year or five-year deals. The fact that it’s only through May 2027 suggests two things:
- Kimmel wants an exit strategy: He has joked that he wants to spend less time with his family, but the reality is likely the opposite. He wants the freedom to walk away soon.
- The Network is cautious: Between the FCC drama and the shifting landscape of late-night TV, a one-year "test" allows everyone to see if the political heat stays manageable.
He’s currently in his 24th season. That's a lot of monologues.
What’s changing on the show in 2026?
Even though he's back, the show you see tonight might look a little different than it did a few years ago. For starters, there’s been a tragic change behind the scenes. In November 2025, Kimmel’s long-time friend and bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, passed away following a liver transplant.
It was a devastating blow. The house band has been renamed The Cletones in his honor, and Cleto Escobedo Jr. is still there, but that "childhood friend" energy that fueled the show's vibe for two decades has shifted into something more nostalgic and somber.
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Fewer musical acts
You might also notice the musical stages are a bit quieter. Starting in early 2026, the show is cutting back on musical performances. Instead of the usual three acts a week, they’re aiming for about two. It’s a cost-saving measure that’s happening across all of late-night, not just on ABC. Booking a full band, doing soundchecks, and paying for the rights to broadcast the music is expensive, and with more people watching clips on YouTube rather than the full broadcast, the math just doesn't work like it used to.
Where to watch and what to expect next
If you're looking for new episodes, the schedule is back to its standard rhythm.
- Monday through Friday: 11:35 p.m. ET on ABC.
- Streaming: Next day on Hulu.
There will still be reruns during holiday weeks—like the two-week break he took at the end of December 2025—but the "indefinite hiatus" fears are officially over for now.
Kimmel has outlasted almost everyone in the game. He survived the "Late Night Wars" of the 2010s, he survived the streaming revolution, and he even survived a week-long suspension that looked like a career-ender. Whether he stays past 2027 is anyone's guess—he famously says he tells his staff one thing and then does the opposite—but for the 2026 season, he is firmly in the host's chair.
If you want to stay updated on the specific guest lineup, your best bet is to check the official Jimmy Kimmel Live! social media accounts on Monday afternoons, as they usually drop the week’s schedule then. You can also monitor ABC’s press site for any last-minute "special" episodes or town halls, which Kimmel has been doing more of lately as the 2026 midterm elections approach.