Jimmy Kimmel ended his Thursday, June 18 episode by saying he will take two months off “voluntarily,” triggering a busy rotation of guest hosts on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” starting the week of July 6.
When Jimmy Kimmel walked off the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” set on Thursday, June 18, he didn’t sound like a man being sidelined. He told audiences he was taking “the next two months off – this time voluntarily,” and then stepped away before the summer lineup began.
Kimmel’s break comes after a stretch of headline turbulence. In the opening monologue. he referenced his weeklong suspension last fall tied to controversial remarks about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The show is now in the hands of a “potent group of hosts” as ABC continues “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” through Kimmel’s hiatus.
The host’s summer routine has been consistent. He’s been taking every summer off since 2020 after including it in his contract. and guest hosts have typically stepped in during that window. The exception: there were no guest-hosted shows in summer 2023, when labor and writer strikes in Hollywood shut down production.
ABC says Tiffany Haddish “will lead things off. ” hosting the week of July 6. with other guest hosts following through the summer. The announced lineup includes Tiffany Haddish, Colman Domingo, Ike Barinholtz, Anthony Anderson, and Jelly Roll. ABC did not immediately respond to a request for additional information about whether more guest hosts would be added beyond those names.
Kimmel also framed the break with a familiar blend of show-business humor and political jab. He said he asked Rosie O’Donnell to appear “as a special treat for our commander-in-chief,” adding: “All I ask in return, Mr. President, is that you don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone, OK?”
O’Donnell and Kimmel have both been longtime critics of President Donald Trump, and the relationship has been marked by public feuds. Last year, Trump threatened to revoke O’Donnell’s U.S. citizenship. In April, the president again called on ABC to fire Kimmel.
For viewers, “Jimmy Kimmel Live” will still air weeknights at 11:35 p.m. ET PT on ABC and stream on Hulu the next day, even with the host off-duty for the next two months.
Jimmy Kimmel Jimmy Kimmel Live ABC guest hosts Tiffany Haddish Colman Domingo Ike Barinholtz Anthony Anderson Jelly Roll Rosie O'Donnell Donald Trump Hulu