Here’s what happened.
Late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel, who has spent years using his ABC platform to mock conservatives and President Trump, shocked viewers this week after announcing he is stepping away from Jimmy Kimmel Live! following the unexpected death of his longtime friend and bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, known to fans as “Jr.”
Kimmel, who rarely shows vulnerability on air, delivered one of the most emotional monologues of his career. With Escobedo’s family present, he revealed that he would be taking several days off the show—fueling speculation about whether this marks a larger shift in his already declining late-night career.
“Cherish your friends, we’re not here forever,” Kimmel said, struggling to hold back tears. “We’re taking the next couple of nights off. I wanted to be here tonight to tell you about my friend. Cleto loved Eddie Murphy, and he wouldn’t have wanted us to miss this.”
A Friendship Spanning Decades
Kimmel began the show by announcing Escobedo’s passing and opened up about their childhood connection. The two grew up watching David Letterman, sharing dreams of building careers in entertainment. For Kimmel, Escobedo wasn’t just a coworker—he was family.
“For almost 23 years on the air, I’ve had to deliver some difficult monologues,” Kimmel said. “But this one… this one is the hardest. Last night we lost someone who was truly special and far too young to leave this world.”
Escobedo, 59, was a gifted saxophonist often described as a prodigy. His dedication to the show was matched only by his family’s devotion; his mother attended nearly every taping, always sitting in the audience clutching her rosary beads while her husband and son performed on stage.
Kimmel personally thanked Escobedo’s parents—Cleto Sr. and Sylvia—for treating him as one of their own.
Questions Swirl About Kimmel’s Future
While Kimmel stated he would return after a brief break, longtime viewers and industry observers are asking whether this pause signals something bigger. Ratings for traditional late-night shows have dropped sharply in recent years, especially as audiences—particularly conservatives—have grown tired of left-wing political commentary replacing comedy.
Given Kimmel’s history of controversial political rants and his strained relationship with half the country, the headline “Trump-Hater Jimmy Kimmel Retires?” is gaining traction online as fans wonder whether grief, burnout, or declining viewership might push him toward an early exit.
As of now, Kimmel has not announced retirement, but the speculation alone is driving major conversation.
Show Guest Lineup Put on Hold
According to Deadline, the show will reschedule this week’s planned guests, including:
- Danny DeVito
- Howard Jones
- Debbie Gibson
- Jason Bateman
- Mr. T
- Susanna Hoffs
ABC has not released details about when these appearances will be rescheduled.
A Turning Point for Late-Night TV?
Kimmel’s emotional departure—temporary or not—comes at a time when the late-night landscape is shifting dramatically. Viewers increasingly prefer on-demand content, YouTube hosts, and independent commentators over legacy network personalities who openly show political bias.
Many conservatives see this moment as symbolic: the once-untouchable late-night giants are losing relevance, and America’s media landscape is undergoing a massive realignment.
Whether this week marks a brief pause for Kimmel or the early stage of something more permanent, one thing is clear: the era of traditional, highly political late-night comedy is fading fast.
