Staff Reports
In a recent conversation, comedian Jimmy Kimmel left little doubt about his plans to bid farewell to his late-night hosting duties on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" It seems he's ready to retire from the microphone sooner rather than later.
"I believe this is my final contract," Kimmel revealed to the Los Angeles Times, adding, "I hate to admit it because everyone's laughing at me now — every time I think that, it turns out not to be the case. I still have a little over two years left on my contract, and that feels pretty sufficient. That feels like enough."
According to the Times, Kimmel has just two years remaining on his contract. It remains to be seen if he sticks to his retirement timeline. Perhaps it's a blessing in disguise for him, considering he lamented the demands of hosting the show.
"It's hard to long for it when you're in the midst of it," Kimmel complained. "Wednesday night, I was extremely exhausted, and I had numerous scripts to review — I had to revise and rewrite numerous pitch ideas for the Oscars — and I was literally dozing off at my computer. In those moments, I think, 'I can't wait until my contract is up.'"
However, he quickly followed that up with conflicting sentiments. It seems he's still enthusiastic about the gig, or at least the "fun stuff" associated with it. Classic Kimmel, right? He can't seem to make up his mind!
Looking forward to his golden years, the 56-year-old is eager to pursue various hobbies, including cooking, sculpting, and playing the harmonica. It appears retirement has been on his mind for quite some time now.
This isn't the first time Kimmel has hinted at stepping away from his late-night role. He previously discussed on the podcast "Strike Force Five" that he was considering leaving the nightly talk show scene, as reported by the Times.
Now, let's discuss ratings, shall we? "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" hasn't been dominating in the viewership department lately. According to Fox News, the numbers have declined, particularly since Kimmel and other late-night hosts began delving into politics and challenging right-wing figures like former President Donald Trump.
In 2016, the show averaged 2.2 million viewers. Fast forward to 2022, and that figure had dropped to a mere 1.5 million.
It seems viewers might be tired of the political chatter and simply want to unwind after a long day. Or perhaps they're switching channels to catch up on the latest cat videos. Who knows?
Regardless, Kimmel might be considering retirement just in time before his audience dwindles to only his mom and a couple of faithful hamsters.
Best of luck, Kimmel! Don't let the late-night exit door bump your behind on the way out!
