Jimmy Kimmel Live! Reduces Musical Guest Appearances
Jimmy Kimmel Live! will decrease its musical guest performances to two per week. Sources familiar with the situation indicate that show music producer Jim Pitt informed them of this change in recent weeks. No official reason for this decision has been publicly disclosed by those informed. The overall length of the ABC late-night program is not anticipated to change.
Representatives for Jimmy Kimmel Live! did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Broader Late-Night Trends
This adjustment aligns with a broader trend observed in late-night television, where musical guest appearances have decreased over several years. NBC's Late Night With Seth Meyers, for example, infrequently features musical guests, and its house band, led by Fred Armisen, was dissolved in 2024 due to budget reductions. Prior to its cancellation, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert had also reduced its musical guest segments, thereby removing another platform for artist features.
Historically, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon were the two primary late-night programs consistently featuring musical guests. In the previous year, Jim Pitt and booker Mac Burrus, speaking to entertainment site Consequence, noted the program's consistent prioritization of music. Burrus stated that music had been a priority for the show since its inception, aligning with Kimmel's appreciation for traditional late-night formats. Pitt affirmed Kimmel's support for music content on the show.
Industry Challenges and Context
The impact of traditional late-night musical bookings on artist visibility has changed from the pre-digital era. Industry discussions suggest that these appearances historically provided emerging artists with legitimacy through exposure on established television networks. The reduction in linear TV viewership and print media circulation has decreased such opportunities for new artists.
The late-night television sector has encountered increasing challenges. CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show in July of the previous year, with its final broadcast scheduled for May. CBS cited financial considerations amid a challenging environment for late-night programming. A source indicated that network late-night shows might no longer be profitable.
Alternative perspectives suggested the cancellation of The Late Show might have been influenced by political considerations related to Paramount's potential merger with David Ellison's Skydance.
Past Incidents Involving Kimmel
Separately, Disney temporarily suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! last fall. This action followed decisions by station groups Nexstar and Sinclair to pre-empt the program due to comments Kimmel made concerning the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Kimmel's comments included statements regarding Republican reactions to the incident.
Kimmel's program resumed broadcasting one week later. He subsequently received a Critics Choice Award for best talk series. During his acceptance speech, Kimmel acknowledged the temporary suspension, referencing support received and emphasizing the importance of free speech.