To say “Jimmy Kimmel had an eventful year” is to utter even more of an understatement than “Regis Philbin had a Bronx accent.”
The Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and Jimmy Kimmel Live! host began the TV season in September getting suspended by ABC and nearly canceled by Donald Trump for a joke he made following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Kimmel then faced Trump’s cancellation-minded ire again this spring after he made an age-centric joke about Melania soon becoming a widow. In between? He had a pretty damn good year, as evidenced by his Emmy nominations for outstanding host of a game show for Millionaire (he is looking to repeat his 2025 win) while his late night show notched a half dozen noms, including for outstanding variety series.
How is Kimmel processing all of it? Does he feel like Stephen Colbert owes him something? What does he really think about Matt Damon’s and Ben Affleck’s performances on Millionaire? And which, um, presidential figure would he like to see on the telecast? We asked him a lightning round of questions about a slew of 2025-26 topics.
It’s been a very intense TV season for you. What will you remember most from it?
No question that what I will remember most is the reaction to our unscheduled vacation [after Kirk], which went so far beyond what I ever could have expected. I’ll never forget the support from friends, strangers and even those who generally make me throw up.
What’s the hardest thing about hosting Millionaire that we may not realize?
Pronunciation! Even the word pronunciation is hard to pronounce.
Who would you bet on to win a trivia showdown — Jamie Ding/Ben Affleck or Ken Jennings/Matt Damon?
No disrespect to Ken Jennings, but Matt Damon has the brain of a ladybug.
Who’s a celebrity you’d like to land on the show that you haven’t yet?
The Obamas would be a fun team. Also, Hall & Oates.
What’s one thing you would say to the president if you were alone in an elevator with him?
Which button do we push for a Diet Coke?
Will you be putting up another billboard for The Late Show With Stephen Colbertto win the late night Emmy?
We were hoping this time they’d get one for us.
Does John Oliver need to be stopped now that he’s back in your category?
John Oliver deserves every award that gets awarded.
What do you think is the future of primetime game shows?
You might be surprised to learn I haven’t given that much thought, but I do keep the Family Feud in my prayers.
What will it take to save the future of late night television?
A different president would be a good start.
This story first appeared in an August stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
