A TV host who has been a fixture of the late-night broadcast landscape is thinking about retiring when his current contract runs out. Variety reports that Jimmy Kimmel may call it a night when his deal expires in fall 2019.
Kimmel has been hosting his ABC late-night show for 14 years, the report notes — and working 70-hour weeks in the process.
Variety, which is running a cover story on Kimmel, quotes him saying: “I know I will do the show for another three years. It’s possible that will be it. My wife’s pregnant. At a certain point, I’d like to have a little more free time. I have very little free time as it is.”
Variety adds: “As the executive producer — and ‘control freak’ — of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!,’ Kimmel arrives in his Hollywood studios at 9 a.m., shoots at around 5 p.m., and returns to his computer after dinner.”
Says Kimmel: “I think this job is a grind, and best-case scenario, a marathon. I want to go out on my own terms. If I ever feel like we’re repeating ourselves, I think it’s a good indication that it’s time.”
Kimmel, 49, has also been tapped to host this Sunday’s Oscars ceremony.
We encourage readers to click here to read Variety’s in-depth feature on Kimmel.
Don’t go Jimmy. I understand…
Jimmy is too young to retire. Jimmy Kimmel should do what Johnny Carson did when he was younger—working a reduced work week, with guest hosts filling in. Kimmel could remain on the air, while having more time off. ABC could also try out guest hosts, for when Kimmel finally decides to retire. Kimmel’s complete departure would leave a huge void in ABC’s late-night schedule–much like many of the series (except for Nightline) that flopped in ABC late night schedule before Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show began.
My schedule is 8am – 6pm and then email with my global partners when I get home and can contact them in their own time zones. I guess Hollywood’s idea of a tough work week is not the same as most of corporate America.