“Kimmel's monologue is a masterclass in blending humor with genuine emotion, particularly when discussing his son's health or political outrage.”
James Poniewozik
The New York Times
Last updated
📺seriesReturning SeriesTV-14
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
United States"The late-night show that dares to be silly and serious, often in the same breath."
2003 - 2026 60 English
Overview
Since its debut on January 26, 2003, Jimmy Kimmel Live! has carved out a distinct corner of the late-night landscape. Hosted by the irreverent Jimmy Kimmel, the show broadcasts from the historic El Capitan Entertainment Centre on Hollywood Boulevard, a stone's throw from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Kimmel's approach blends sharp political satire with lowbrow comedy, creating a mix that can pivot from a heartfelt monologue about his son's health to a bit where a celebrity reads mean tweets about themselves.
The show's signature segments have become cultural touchstones. Mean Tweets, which started in 2012 after Kimmel noticed a viral tweet about himself, now features A-listers reading insults sent their way. The annual Halloween Candy Prank, where Kimmel tells kids he ate all their candy, has racked up billions of YouTube views. And Guillermo Rodriguez, originally a parking lot attendant, has become a beloved sidekick, appearing in sketches like Guillermo's Hot Topics with his trademark deadpan delivery.
Over 24 seasons and more than 3,200 episodes, the show has weathered network slot changes (moving from 11:35 to 12:05 in 2023), a pandemic-induced home studio, and Kimmel's own political feuds, most notably with former President Donald Trump. It remains a fixture of ABC's lineup, averaging 1.5 to 2.5 million viewers nightly and winning six consecutive Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Variety Series from 2013 to 2018.
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PlotSpoiler-free
Each night, Jimmy Kimmel takes the stage in front of a live studio audience, delivering a monologue that skewers the day's headlines, political absurdities, and pop culture oddities. The show then moves through a familiar but flexible structure: a comedy bit or pre-taped segment, an interview with a celebrity guest (often promoting a movie or album), and a musical performance or stand-up set. What sets Jimmy Kimmel Live! apart is its willingness to let the host's personality drive the tone. Kimmel can go from a silly bit involving a dancing hot dog to a tearful plea for healthcare reform, as he did in 2017 after his son Billy underwent open-heart surgery.
The recurring cast includes Guillermo Rodriguez, who started as a parking lot attendant in 2003 and gradually became a fan favorite. He now appears in nearly every episode, often as the butt of jokes or the straight man in sketches. Lou Wilson, the announcer, has been with the show since 2008, delivering the nightly "It's Jimmy Kimmel Live!" with a signature flourish. The show's writers room, which has included names like Molly McNearney (Kimmel's wife and co-head writer), keeps the material sharp and topical.
Season arcs are defined less by narrative and more by cultural moments. The 2016 and 2020 election cycles saw Kimmel ramp up his political commentary, often clashing with Trump supporters and earning both praise and criticism. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the show to go remote for several months in 2020, with Kimmel broadcasting from his home, featuring his children as occasional guests and his wife as a producer. The show's annual specials, like the Halloween prank and the Handsome Men's Club segments, provide recurring touchstones across seasons. With no end in sight, the show continues to evolve, reflecting the chaotic, funny, and sometimes heartbreaking world outside its studio doors.
Ending ExplainedSpoilers
Trailers
Jimmy Kimmel Live - Political Promo
Critical Reception
Critical Consensus
Jimmy Kimmel Live! is a competent but uneven late-night entry, praised for Kimmel's sharp monologues and viral segments but criticized for inconsistent writing and reliance on celebrity interviews. While not as critically acclaimed as competitors like Colbert or Fallon, it maintains a loyal audience due to its political satire and Kimmel's relatable persona.
“The show's mean tweets segment is a viral goldmine, but its political commentary often feels like preaching to the choir.”
Daniel Fienberg
The Hollywood Reporter
“Kimmel has evolved into one of late-night's most effective political satirists, even if his show's format remains stubbornly traditional.”
Jen Chaney
Vulture
“The show's strength is its host's ability to pivot from silly to serious in a heartbeat, a skill that makes it essential viewing during election years.”
Tim Goodman
The Hollywood Reporter
“Kimmel's late-night show is a reliable source of laughs, but its cultural impact is most felt during his heartfelt monologues on healthcare and gun control.”
Sonia Saraiya
Variety
Top Cast
Jimmy Kimmel
Self - Host
Guillermo Rodriguez
Self
Lou Wilson
Self - Announcer
Crew
Producer
Jimmy Kimmel
Seasons (25)
Awards
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Series (2013)
Outstanding Variety Series: Won
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Series (2014)
Outstanding Variety Series: Won
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Series (2015)
Outstanding Variety Series: Won
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Series (2016)
Outstanding Variety Series: Won
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Series (2017)
Outstanding Variety Series: Won
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Series (2018)
Outstanding Variety Series: Won
People's Choice Award for Favorite Late Night Talk Show (2017)
Favorite Late Night Talk Show: Won
People's Choice Award for Favorite Late Night Talk Show (2018)
Favorite Late Night Talk Show: Won
People's Choice Award for Favorite Late Night Talk Show (2019)
Favorite Late Night Talk Show: Won
Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Talk Show (2013)
Best Talk Show: Nominated
Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Talk Show (2014)
Best Talk Show: Nominated
Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Talk Show (2015)
Best Talk Show: Nominated
Keywords
celebritylate nightlate-night showirreverentfactualhilariousinformativetalk showcomedypoliticsviralmean tweetshalloween prank
Facts
- Status
- Returning Series
- Type
- Talk Show
- Original Language
- EN
- Network
- ABC
- Seasons
- 24
- Episodes
- 3281
- Production
- Kimmelot, Touchstone Television, Jackhole Industries, ABC Studios, ABC Signature, 20th Television
- Filmed at
- El Capitan Entertainment Centre, Hollywood, CA
- Notable Segment
- Mean Tweets (debuted 2012)
- Notable Segment
- Halloween Candy Prank (annual)
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