In a move that reflects the downsizing of late-night TV, ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” will be decreasing its music performances in the coming weeks, a source confirms to Variety.
The news was first reported late Monday by the Hollywood Reporter, which cited sources saying music performances will be cut back to twice a week, but Variety’s source said that the number is more likely to vary. However, the show will no longer feature musical performances every night it airs.
Reps for the show did not respond to requests for comment; no reason was cited for the decision but it seems likely that budget considerations played a role.
Musical performances have been a cornerstone of the show since its inception and have ranged from superstars like One Direction, Eminem (performing live from the Empire State Building) and the Weeknd to countless up-and-coming artists.
The move reflected a sadly common trend as late-night TV has diminished in general, with shows hosted by Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert losing their house bands and/or number of musical performances. Only Jimmy Fallon’s “Tonight Show” will still regularly feature musical guests.
Variety reported last month that Kimmel and ABC parent company Disney struck a new deal that will keep him as the host of ABC‘s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” for another year, according to three people familiar with the matter. Kimmel’s current deal with Disney was believed to expire in 2026; the comedian confirmed the deal renewal in an Instagram post, writing, “I am pleased to announce another no-talent year!”
The renewal came after Disney pulled Kimmel’s show off the schedule for a few days in September after two large owners of affiliate TV stations, Nexstar and Sinclair, complained about a monologue in which the comedian discussed Charlie Kirk, the young Republican figure who was assassinated earlier that month.
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Variety will have more on the situation as it develops.
Additional reporting by Michael Schneider and Brian Steinberg.
From Variety US