RT “WE ALMOST DIDN’T SURVIVE” — Jimmy Kimmel Breaks the Silence on the Year That Nearly Ended His Show
Jimmy Kimmel is opening up about a challenging year that tested his patience, resilience, and faith. After winning his second Critics’ Choice Award, the longtime host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” reflected on a period that challenged him both professionally and personally, forcing him to confront the uncertainty of his show and his place in late-night television.
A Difficult Chapter for ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’
Speaking in the winner’s room after Sunday’s ceremony on January 4, the 58-year-old reflected on the upheaval surrounding “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” including the show’s six-day suspension in September.
“It was almost a near-death experience for me,” Kimmel told reporters, as reported by People. “Of course, not literally, but I did feel a little bit like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn watching their own funeral, when all this stuff happened.”
The experience, he said, underscored how quickly circumstances can change, even for a long-running late-night show.
Standing With Comedy When It Mattered
Kimmel also reflected on the reaction that followed the temporary cancellation of his show, which came after comments he made about Charlie Kirk’s death.
“To be here and to see that people reacted to it in not just a positive way, but in almost a desperate way, we’re like, ‘Oh boy, when they come after the comedians, this is when we draw the line,’” he said, as per People.
He added that the outpouring of support has left a lasting impression. “We’re very grateful that they drew the line at us.” See the video here.
Light Humor, Then a Serious Message
Variety reported that during his acceptance speech at the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards, Kimmel opened with humor, joking that fellow nominees “did not care enough” to attend the ceremony.
The list included “The Daily Show,” “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” and “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.”
In his speech, he also acknowledged those who stood by him during the controversy.
“Thank you to all the writers and actors and producers and union members, many of you who are in this room, who supported us, who really stepped forward for us,” Kimmel said, as per Variety.
“And reminded us that we do not take free speech for granted in this city or this country.”
The award, he suggested, represented more than just recognition. It marked a sense of reassurance after a year that pushed both him and his show to their limits.
For Kimmel, the moment brought a sense of validation, not just for the work itself, but for the people who stood by the show during its most uncertain and turbulent chapter.
