With Jimmy Kimmel taking his annual two-month voluntary summer hiatus, Rosie O’Donnell is scheduled to guest host for one week starting Monday, August 17, 2026—part of a summer lineup that includes Tiffany Haddish, Anthony Anderson, Ike Barinholtz, Colman Domi
By the time Jimmy Kimmel walks away from the desk this summer. the show will already have a new face ready to fill his chair. Kimmel is taking a voluntary two-month hiatus. a familiar tradition for the ABC late-night series. and the guest-host lineup is stacked with big names—one of them. Rosie O’Donnell.
Jimmy Kimmel Live!. is not canceled. Kimmel announced he’ll step out for the next two months. joking to the audience. “I will be taking the next two months off. this time voluntarily. ” as the late-night crowd laughed. New episodes will still air throughout the summer with rotating hosts. including Tiffany Haddish. Anthony Anderson. Ike Barinholtz. Colman Domingo. Jelly Roll and Rosie O’Donnell.
O’Donnell is set to take over for one week beginning Monday, August 17, 2026. For fans. it’s a return to the late-night spotlight for the comedian and former daytime talk show host. after a year in which she has spent much of her time living in Ireland while continuing her one-woman stage show and other projects.
Kimmel announced O’Donnell’s guest-hosting week with a joke aimed at President Donald Trump. with whom O’Donnell has had a public feud for nearly two decades. “As a special treat for our commander-in-chief. I asked one of his all-time favorites. Rosie O’Donnell. to be here to keep the hits coming. ” Kimmel quipped. He added, “All I ask in return, Mr. President, is that you don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone.”.
After the announcement, O’Donnell shared her excitement on Instagram, writing, “And I can’t wait!!!”
Kimmel’s time away is expected to last about two months. His summer hiatus begins with the week of July 6 and runs through much of August before he returns to the host’s chair. In recent years. Kimmel has taken similar breaks to spend time with his family. and this year’s rotating guest lineup is built to keep the summer rolling with comedians. actors and musicians stepping in between him and the audience.
The schedule is set: while Kimmel is off the desk, O’Donnell will be right there for viewers for the week starting August 17, 2026—bringing her high-profile brand of humor back to late-night audiences as the show continues without a beat.
Rosie O’Donnell Jimmy Kimmel Live guest host August 17 2026 Jimmy Kimmel vacation Tiffany Haddish Anthony Anderson Ike Barinholtz Colman Domingo Jelly Roll
Wait so Jimmy’s not cancelled just doing a summer thing? good.
Rosie O’Donnell?? I thought she was like super out of the spotlight. Also why is everyone joking about Trump like that’s supposed to be funny. “Don’t do anything stupid” isn’t exactly subtle lol.
So the show is still gonna run but it’s basically gonna be “guest host roulette” all summer. I saw Jelly Roll is on there too so maybe it’ll be better than the usual. Kimmel really said “commander-in-chief” like he’s doing a roast… wonder if that offends people.
Honestly I only clicked because of the Trump joke part. I didn’t realize Rosie was back and forth from Ireland or whatever, thought she was gone for good. Also the article says “starting Monday, August 17, 2026” which is like forever away—are they already doing promos for that? Kimmel vacations are “voluntary” now but somehow it still becomes everyone else’s job to fill in??