Jimmy Kimmel Drops Bomb: Jon Stewart Was This Close to His Late-Night Gig!

Talk about a Hollywood "what if"! Jimmy Kimmel recently spilled the beans on a major near-miss in late-night history, revealing that another comedy legend almost took his seat at ABC.

TL;DR

• Jimmy Kimmel shared on Ted Danson's podcast that Jon Stewart was nearly hired to host ABC's late-night show.
• Kimmel's audition tape changed everything, but Disney CEO Bob Iger admitted Kimmel was chosen because he was "cheaper."
• Kimmel candidly believes ABC "made a mistake" and should have hired Stewart instead.

Alright, late-night fans, gather 'round, because Jimmy Kimmel just dropped a bombshell that could have completely reshaped the landscape of TV as we know it! Imagine a world where Jon Stewart was the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! – it almost happened, and Kimmel himself is the one telling the wild story.

Appearing on Ted Danson's podcast, Where Everybody Knows Your Name, Kimmel dove deep into the chaotic, unpredictable early days of landing his coveted ABC late-night slot. And believe us, it was a much closer call than anyone ever realized. It turns out, Jon Stewart, the iconic former host of The Daily Show, was practically signing on the dotted line for the gig that eventually went to Kimmel.

The Moment Jon Stewart Nearly Became ABC's Late-Night King

Back in the early 2000s, ABC was on the hunt for a new late-night face. They were looking to fill a prime spot that, at the time, was home to Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect, which had moved to the network in 1997. The goal? A more "traditional late-night talk show," according to Kimmel.

And who was at the top of their list? None other than Jon Stewart. He was already a beloved figure, having taken over Comedy Central's The Daily Show in 1998, transforming it into a must-watch political satire powerhouse. It makes perfect sense that ABC would want someone with his sharp wit and growing fanbase to anchor their late-night efforts.

Interestingly, both Kimmel and Stewart shared the same manager, a man named James "Baby Doll" Dixon. Kimmel recounted that Dixon was actually "about to close this deal for Jon to host the show." Talk about being on the precipice of a completely different timeline!

A Last-Minute Twist: How Kimmel's Tape Changed Everything

So, how did Kimmel, then known primarily for his raunchier Comedy Central hit The Man Show and doing football picks on Fox NFL Sunday, swoop in at the eleventh hour? It all came down to a tape. ABC chairman Lloyd Braun decided to give Kimmel's audition a look.

"Lloyd watched the tape, and he was like, ‘I think this might be the guy,’" Kimmel explained on the podcast. Braun then took the tape to Disney CEO Bob Iger, who reportedly echoed the sentiment: "Yeah, I think this might be the guy."

This sudden pivot left their shared manager, James Dixon, in a truly "strange" and "difficult position." Imagine having to tell one of your biggest clients, Jon Stewart, that the network decided to go with your other client, Jimmy Kimmel, instead. "Uh, you’re not going to ABC, but Jimmy is going to ABC," was the awkward message Dixon had to deliver.

The Candid Truth: "Well, You Were Cheaper"

Even Kimmel himself was baffled by ABC's decision. He approached Bob Iger directly, asking, "What was it, like why — this is quite a leap that you guys made. I was on The Man Show, I was doing football picks on Fox NFL Sunday — what was it?"

Iger's response was as blunt as it was memorable:

"Well, you were cheaper."

— Bob Iger, Disney CEO, explaining why Jimmy Kimmel was hired over Jon Stewart

Kimmel recalled, "Everybody laughed, but I knew he wasn’t kidding." Sometimes, in the high-stakes world of Hollywood, budget plays a surprisingly significant role, even when it comes to top-tier talent. It's a stark reminder that even for major network gigs, value can be a deciding factor over perceived star power.

Kimmel's Humble Confession: "That Was a Mistake By The Way"

Despite his nearly two-decade-long success as host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which debuted in January 2003, Kimmel remains remarkably humble about that pivotal moment. He genuinely believes ABC missed an opportunity by not hiring Stewart.

"That was a mistake by the way. They definitely should’ve hired Jon. If I’m in that position, there’s no question I hire Jon 100 times out of a 100."

— Jimmy Kimmel, reflecting on ABC's decision

This candid admission highlights Kimmel's respect for Stewart and his self-awareness regarding his own journey. He even admitted that the early days of Jimmy Kimmel Live! were incredibly challenging. He referred to them as "rough" and "painful," stating, "It took us a long time to figure it out, and we’re very fortunate to get a long time to figure it out."

The show, he said, was "tumultuous," with him "causing trouble once every, like two and a half months, some major thing was happening. Something that came out of my mouth, you know, and caused a whole thing." It’s clear the show evolved significantly from its initial, more chaotic form to the established late-night staple it is today.

The Enduring Impact of Late-Night and Recent Controversies

Kimmel's reflections come shortly after Jimmy Kimmel Live! faced its own recent period of significant turbulence. Just last month, the show was "preempted indefinitely" by ABC following FCC warnings regarding comments Kimmel made about public figures, notably far-right activist Charlie Kirk. Donald Trump even celebrated the show's temporary suspension.

The network's decision drew widespread criticism, with many viewing it as an attack on free speech. In a massive show of solidarity, fellow late-night hosts like Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, John Oliver, and even Stewart himself, along with over 400 artists and industry figures, rallied behind Kimmel. This collective support underscored the importance of late-night commentary in today's media landscape.

When Jimmy Kimmel Live! finally returned to air on September 22, it did so with a bang. The broadcast pulled in a massive 6.26 million viewers for ABC – an impressive four times its usual audience. Furthermore, Kimmel's return monologue became his most-watched ever on YouTube, racking up 22 million views and counting. These numbers demonstrate the power and relevance late-night hosts still hold, especially when they tackle controversial topics or face public scrutiny.

What If Stewart Had Landed the Gig?

It's fascinating to ponder how different the late-night world might be if James Dixon had successfully closed that deal for Jon Stewart. Would Stewart have brought the same biting political satire that defined his Daily Show tenure to network television? How would Kimmel's career have evolved without that prime ABC spot?

The story serves as a compelling reminder of the unpredictable nature of Hollywood, where a single audition tape or a budget constraint can alter the course of careers and the entire entertainment industry. While Kimmel humbly suggests Stewart would have been the better choice, there's no denying that his unique comedic voice has carved out its own essential place in late-night, tumultuous beginnings and all.

FAQs About This Late-Night Revelation When did Jimmy Kimmel Live! originally debut on ABC? Jimmy Kimmel Live! first premiered in January 2003. Who is James "Baby Doll" Dixon and what was his role? James "Baby Doll" Dixon is the talent manager who represented both Jimmy Kimmel and Jon Stewart at the time. He was close to finalizing a deal for Stewart to host the ABC late-night show before Kimmel was ultimately chosen. What shows were Jimmy Kimmel and Jon Stewart known for before Jimmy Kimmel Live!? Before landing his ABC show, Jimmy Kimmel co-hosted Comedy Central's The Man Show and provided football picks on Fox NFL Sunday. Jon Stewart was already a well-established late-night figure, having hosted Comedy Central's The Daily Show since 1998. What was the recent controversy involving Jimmy Kimmel Live!? In September, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was briefly "preempted indefinitely" by ABC following FCC warnings related to comments Kimmel made on air, particularly concerning public figures like Charlie Kirk. The suspension sparked a public debate about free speech and led to widespread support for Kimmel from fellow entertainers. Sources

• The Hollywood Reporter
• Variety
• Deadline
• Rolling Stone
• India Today
• The News Digital
• Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast (Ted Danson)