When Jimmy Kimmel Live! premiered on ABC in 2003, few people expected it to last. Yet more than twenty years later, it is still on the air. Today, Jimmy Kimmel counts among the longest-running talk show hosts in American TV history. He is both the host and an executive producer of the show.
What Jimmy Kimmel Live is about
The show mixes the classic parts of late-night TV. First, there is an opening comedy monologue about the day’s news. Then come celebrity interviews, musical performances and pre-taped sketches. Over the years, the show has also built a reputation for comedy bits that spread far beyond TV. In fact, its clips regularly gather millions of views online.
Guillermo and other familiar faces
One of the most beloved parts of the show is Guillermo Rodriguez. He is a longtime friend of Kimmel who worked as the show’s security guard. Later, he became Kimmel’s on-air sidekick. Today, Guillermo appears in sketches and joins Kimmel for interviews. He also often reports from red carpets and big events.
The show has another fun tradition, linked to a different ABC hit. Celebrities who leave Dancing with the Stars after the public vote often stop by Jimmy Kimmel Live! right afterward.
A family project
Kimmel’s wife, Molly McNearney, also plays a big role in the show. Over the years, she has worked on it as a writer, co-head writer and executive producer. As a result, her work has earned her numerous Emmy nominations.
Staying on the air through 2027
In December 2025, Kimmel signed a one-year contract extension with ABC. The new deal keeps the show running through May 2027. Before that, his previous deal was due to end in May 2026. He shared the news on Instagram with his trademark self-deprecating humor. In his post, he joked that he was pleased to announce “another no-talent year.”
In the summer of 2026, a rotating lineup of guest hosts kept the show going during his break. Then, in September 2026, Kimmel returned to the desk to begin another season.