Full Breakdown
Jimmy Kimmel Reflects on Nearly Losing ABC Late-Night Hosting Gig to Jon Stewart
10/23/2025, 3:49:13 AM
The Path to "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
During a recent episode of Ted Danson's podcast, "Where Everybody Knows Your Name," Jimmy Kimmel shared insights into how he almost lost the opportunity to host "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" to Jon Stewart. In the early 2000s, ABC was searching for a replacement for Bill Maher's "Politically Incorrect," which had aired since 1997. Kimmel revealed that both he and Stewart were represented by the same manager, James "Baby Doll" Dixon, who was close to finalizing a deal for Stewart to take over the late-night slot.
Kimmel recounted that ABC Chairman Lloyd Braun watched his audition tape and suggested it to Bob Iger, then Disney's CEO. Iger approved, leading to Kimmel's hiring instead of Stewart. Kimmel described the situation as "very strange," given that Dixon had to inform Stewart that he would not be getting the job. Reflecting on the decision, Kimmel stated, “That was a mistake by the way. They definitely should hire Jon. If I’m in that position, there’s no question I hire Jon 100 times out of 100.”
Early Challenges and Ratings Success
"Jimmy Kimmel Live!" premiered in January 2003, and Kimmel admitted that the initial episodes were challenging. He expressed that watching his first year of shows would be akin to his "vision of hell." Despite the rough start, Kimmel noted that the show eventually garnered good ratings, although he remained puzzled by this success. He humorously attributed part of his hiring to being "cheaper," a comment made by Iger that elicited laughter but was taken seriously by Kimmel.
Recent Controversies and Support from Peers
Kimmel's reflections come in the wake of a recent suspension from ABC, which many criticized as an infringement on free speech. This suspension followed comments Kimmel made regarding far-right activist Charlie Kirk, which drew the ire of President Donald Trump's FCC Chair, Brendan Carr. Following the suspension, Kimmel received support from fellow late-night hosts, including Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Seth Meyers.
On September 22, Disney announced that "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" would return to the air, drawing an audience of 6.26 million viewers, significantly higher than usual. Kimmel's first monologue post-suspension became his most-watched on YouTube, reaching 22 million views.
Verbatim Quotes
- “That was a mistake by the way. They definitely should hire Jon. If I’m in that position, there’s no question I hire John 100 times out of a 100.” — Jimmy Kimmel
- “Well, you were cheaper.” — Bob Iger, on why Kimmel was chosen over Stewart
- “I think my vision of hell is being forced to watch my first year of shows, because it is just as painful as anything could get for me.” — Jimmy Kimmel
Conclusion
Kimmel's candid discussion about his career trajectory highlights the unpredictable nature of the television industry and the significant decisions that shape it. His acknowledgment of Stewart's talent and the circumstances surrounding his hiring reflect a broader narrative about competition and opportunity in late-night television.
