Rumors about “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” coming to an end spread quickly on September 8, 2026, after Page Six published a report claiming the show would conclude after its current 24th season. The report said Kimmel’s contract would not be extended beyond May 2027. But ABC quickly denied the claims, calling them inaccurate. The network said any talk about the show’s future is just speculation.
The cancellation rumors started the same day Kimmel returned from his summer break. While the show’s future remains uncertain, the network has made it clear that no decision has been made.
ABC Quickly Shuts Down Cancellation Reports
ABC Entertainment did not wait long to respond to the Page Six story. A spokesperson told multiple outlets that the report was not correct.
“This information is inaccurate – any reports about the future of the show at this point are purely speculative.”
The network’s statement came after Page Six reported that Kimmel’s contract would not be extended. Kimmel is known for signing year-to-year contracts, which gives him more flexibility than most late-night hosts.
The timing of the rumors added to the confusion. Kimmel had just returned to host the show on September 8 after a two-month summer break. During his time away, guest hosts like Rosie O’Donnell, Colman Domingo, Jelly Roll, Anthony Anderson, Tiffany Haddish, and Ike Barinholtz filled in.
Spencer Pratt Celebrates the Alleged Cancellation
Spencer Pratt, the former “The Hills” star who ran for Los Angeles mayor in 2026, did not hide his excitement about the rumors. He posted on X shortly after the Page Six report came out.
“Newsom and Kimmel gone next year?? Be still, my laughing heart! Things are looking UP fam.”
Pratt, 43, finished third in the Los Angeles mayoral primary in June. His celebration of the rumored cancellation comes from a public feud with Kimmel that started earlier this year.
The Feud Between Kimmel and Pratt Explained
The tension between Jimmy Kimmel and Spencer Pratt goes back to May 27, 2026. Kimmel used his monologue that night to criticize Pratt’s mayoral campaign.
Kimmel made comments about Pratt losing his Pacific Palisades home in the 2025 wildfires. He said Pratt had no private insurance and did not believe in climate change. Kimmel also pointed out that Pratt was getting attention because of his fame, but did not have solutions to the problems he complained about.
Pratt responded by sharing footage of his destroyed home. The fight did not stop there. On August 24, Pratt compared Kimmel to Harvey Weinstein on X. He shared an article about Kimmel’s wife, Molly McNearney, and how their relationship started when Kimmel was her boss.
“Isn’t this what Harvey Weinstein did?” Pratt wrote on X
McNearney is the co-head writer and executive producer on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”.
What Molly McNearney Said About Kimmel’s Future
McNearney spoke about her husband’s possible retirement on the “Armchair Expert” podcast with Dax Shepard on August 24. She admitted that the idea of Kimmel stepping back from the show appeals to her.
“It definitely appeals to me for the nervous system of the household.”
But she also said she wants him to keep going. She described Kimmel as having “a fly rod in one hand and a torch in the other”. She feels he deserves to relax, but also believes his work is important right now.
The Show’s Suspension in 2025 Adds Context
The cancellation rumors come nearly one year after ABC temporarily suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”. In September 2025, the network pulled the show after Kimmel made comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kirk was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, at a speaking event at Utah Valley University. Kimmel had offered condolences on social media before making remarks on his show. He said that “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk”.
Nexstar Media, which owns ABC-affiliated stations, decided to preempt the show. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and President Donald Trump praised the decision. Trump called it “Great News for America” on Truth Social.
ABC suspended the show for nearly a week. Disney announced on September 22 that the show would return on September 23. The company said it pulled the show to “avoid further inflaming a tense situation”.
When Kimmel returned, the show attracted 6.26 million viewers, its biggest audience in more than a decade.
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What This Means for Late-Night TV
The rumors about “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” come after Stephen Colbert announced “The Late Show” would end in May 2026. Late-night fans have been paying close attention to the future of other shows.
Kimmel has hosted his ABC program since January 2003. The show currently airs at 11:35 PM ET on weeknights.
For now, ABC has made its position clear. The show has not been canceled. Any reports about its future are just speculation. Kimmel is back hosting, and the show continues its 24th season as scheduled.
Also Read: Stephen Colbert Endorses Jimmy Kimmel for Emmy Despite Being a Rival in Same Category
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