How Jimmy Kimmel went from raunchy provocateur to political adversary

Jimmy Kimmel

Jimmy Kimmel first gained success with Comedy Central's The Man Show (1999-2003), a parody of machismo co-hosted by Adam Carolla. Its crude comedy and mocking of political correctness appealed to a male audience, but much of its humour — including Kimmel's blackface impersonations of Karl Malone and Oprah Winfrey — have since been criticized. Kimmel later apologized in 2020, saying the show was a reflection of a less responsive era of television comedy, the New York Times reported.

Premiering Jimmy Kimmel Live

Kimmel leaped to late night with the premiere of Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2003 as a younger, edgier alternative to experienced late-night titans Jay Leno and David Letterman. ABC launched its new show post-Super Bowl, giving it an enormous platform. Guest host Snoop Dogg set the tone for a show willing to take risks while courting the highly prized 18-to-34 demographic.

Establishing bits and late-night identity

Throughout years, Kimmel developed recurring bits that established him in pop culture. "Mean Tweets" had celebrities read their own insults, and "Lie Witness News" duped people into answering for made-up stories. His constant fake feud with actor Matt Damon was an in-your-face joke that kept the show light while drawing mainstream audiences in. Those segments made Kimmel a staple regular in a crowded late-night category.

Politics takes centre stage

By 2017, Kimmel began addressing politics in emotional and autobiographical terms. After his newborn son required emergency heart surgery, he used his show to argue for the protection of Americans with pre-existing conditions. He publicly sparred with Sean Hannity and jousted with Aaron Rodgers over vaccinations, from comic provocateur to shrill political commentator. His evolution mapped broader changes in late-night comedy, in which hosts were increasingly willing to direct acid-tipped criticism at political leaders.

Becoming a staple at award programmes

Kimmel's popularity with the mainstream grew as he became a go-to host for Hollywood's biggest events. He hosted the Oscars four times between 2017 and 2024, bringing along a mix of self-deprecation and celebrity roasting. These appearances solidified his shift from edgy outsider to establishment insider, considering the industry's most coveted platforms.

Suspension and backlash

Kimmel was in the midst of controversy in September 2025, having made his comments about Charlie Kirk's killing, accusing the "MAGA gang" of politicizing the tragedy. FCC chairman Brendan Carr and conservative activists jumped on the remarks, and ABC yanked the show before Kimmel could defend himself on television. The move sparked censorship charges, Trump fan applause, and raised eyebrows about free speech in today's political climate.

From challenger to target

Kimmel's career indicates the changing status of late-night talk show hosts in American society. Political correctness comedian turned prominent critic of conservative politics and target of its ire, suspension finds him at the centre of not only his own transformation but also the tense limits of entertainment, politics, and freedom of the press during Trump's second term.