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Jimmy Kimmel Wanted To Retire Before the Writer’s Strike

Author Laila Abuelhawa
Jimmy Kimmel attends the world premiere of Netflix's "Your Place Or Mine" at Regency Village Theatre on February 02, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

Jimmy Kimmel was ready to hang up his late-night hosting gig before the Writers Guild began striking. Per the Hollywood Reporter, the Jimmy Kimmel Live! host shared the revelation with fellow late-night hosters Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, John Oliver and Seth Meyers. The 55-year-old has been hosting the late-night program since 2003. For 20 years, Kimmel has entertained audiences with hilarious segments, including “Mean Tweets” and his Halloween candy pranks on kids.

RELATED: Matt Damon Calls Jimmy Kimmel ‘A Terrible Human Being’ Amid Years-Long ‘Feud’

Kimmel said he was “very intent on retiring,” but has since realized, “Oh yeah, it’s kind of nice to work. You know when you are working, you think about not working.” Meyers, who hosts Late Night With Seth Meyers, told Kimmel in response, “C’mon, you are the Tom Brady of late night. You have feigned retirement. Are we to take you at your word?” Kimmel doubled down and said he was “very, very serious.” The writer and producer added that he likes getting the summer off from his show each year, but he likes it better when he’s “getting paid” to do so.

Despite the writer’s and actors’ strikes, Kimmel signed a three-year extension of his Emmy-nominated show last year. This made Kimmel one of the longest-tenured talk show hosts in late-night television. Johnny Carson is still the longest-serving late-show host to date, from 1962 to 1992. His successor, Jay Leno, put in 21 years. Meanwhile, David Letterman was on late-night for 22 years. Conan O’Brien hosted late-night talk shows for almost 28 years. At the time of his extension news, Kimmel joked in a statement: “After two decades at ABC, I am now looking forward to three years of what they call ‘quiet quitting.'”

Late-night shows have been off since the writer’s strike began in early May, but this isn’t the first time Kimmel wasn’t working due to a strike. Back in 2007 to 2008, late-night shows went dark and were replaced with reruns.

How Late Night TV Came Back After 9/11

Following the tragic day our country will never forget, late-night television shows Late Show with David Letterman, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Late Night with Conan O’Brien all struggled with how to return to the airwaves, and how to address the 9/11 attacks while still being funny.

Following the events of September 11, 2001, most couldn’t find the right words to address the situation, but despite this challenge, all the late-night shows had the hardest obstacle to make our country smile during such a somber time.

Below are the opening monologues late show hosts gave following 9/11/2001.

  • Late Show with David Letterman

    Letterman was the first comedian to return to air after the attack, and his opening monologue inspired the country; it’s now considered a legendary moment in talk show history. Letterman said in the closing, “If you didn’t believe it before, you can absolutely believe it now: New York City is the greatest city in the world.”

  • Late Night with Conan O'Brien

    In an effort to lift everyone’s spirits, Conan wanted to include something at the top of the show that had nothing to do with anything at all — with a baby attempting to lift two 6-packs of beer. It was very much in line with O’Brien’s irreverent tone.

  • The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

    Jon Stewart broke down in tears during his opening monologue, “I want to tell you why I grieve, but why I don’t despair,” he said. “The reason I don’t despair is because this attack happened. It’s not a dream, but the aftermath of it — the recovery, is a dream realized.” He spoke about how people were judging others not by the color of their skin, but the contents of their heart during the emotional opening. There was likely not a dry eye in the studio, and the same is true of the millions who watched at home.

    September 11, 2001 - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Comedy Central US

    Jon discusses the events of September 11, 2001, and shares his thoughts on New York City's future.

  • The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

    Following the September 11 attacks, The Tonight Show was off the air for about a week, as were most similar programs. The first post-9/11 episode began with the American flag and a subdued opening without the usual opening credits. Leno’s nearly ten-minute monologue paid tribute to those who lost their lives and to firefighters, police and rescue workers. Leno questioned whether a show that regularly poked fun at the government could continue after the attacks, but in his monologue he explained that he also saw the show as a respite from the horrible news in the world. He told a story about himself as a 12-year-old Boy Scout, which Leno said he wasn’t really good at because of his dyslexia. His scoutmaster gave him the task of being the “cheermaster” of the troop, so Leno would tell jokes to the troop to keep their spirits up.

Laila Abuelhawa is the Top 40 and Hip-Hop pop culture writer for Beasley Media Group. Being with the company for over three years, Laila's fierce and fabulous red-carpet rankings have earned her a feature on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert!' Her favorite stories are those surrounding the latest in celebrity fashion, television and film rankings, and how the world reacts to major celebrity news. With a background in journalism, Laila's stories ensure accuracy and offer background information on stars that you wouldn't have otherwise known. She prides herself in covering stories that inform the public about what is currently happening and what is to come in the ever-changing, ever-evolving media landscape.

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Author Laila Abuelhawa
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