Jimmy Kimmel packed up his show and headed to the borough of Brooklyn for a special week of episodes, and let's just say, it was a massive hit! The late-night host not only drew in huge viewership numbers but also brought out an incredible lineup of celebrity guests that had everyone talking.

TL;DR: The Quick Scoop on Kimmel's Brooklyn Domination
  • Kimmel's Brooklyn Week, which aired the week of September 29, averaged a whopping 2.2 million viewers, easily outperforming competitors Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon.
  • This year's Brooklyn shows saw a 35% jump in total viewers compared to Kimmel's last visit to the borough in 2022, and a 42% increase over his current season average.
  • The stage was buzzing with A-listers like Ryan Reynolds, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Hanks, Stephen Colbert, and a surprise appearance from Seth Meyers, making it one of the most star-studded weeks of late-night TV!

Kimmel's Big Brooklyn Numbers Are In and They're Impressive!

Jimmy Kimmel Live! Brooklyn Week: Big Ratings & Bigger Stars! image 3

After a highly anticipated return to late-night following a brief suspension, Jimmy Kimmel Live! kept its momentum going strong in Brooklyn. For the week of September 29, the show pulled in an average of 2.2 million total viewers, along with a solid 0.22 rating in the crucial adults 18-49 demographic. These numbers are a huge win, placing Kimmel firmly ahead of his late-night rivals.

To put that into perspective, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert averaged 1.96 million viewers and a 0.13 demo rating for the same week, while The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon landed at 1.09 million viewers with a 0.09 demo rating. Kimmel wasn't just winning; he was leading by a noticeable margin!

What's even cooler is how much Brooklyn Week boosted Kimmel's stats. Compared to his previous visit to Brooklyn in September 2022, this year's shows were up an impressive 35% in total viewers (from 1.63 million). And when you look at the 2024-2025 season average, Brooklyn Week outshined it by 42% in total viewers (up from 1.55 million) and a massive 57% in the 18-49 demo (up from a 0.14 rating). Plus, the Brooklyn content has already racked up over 34.1 million views on the show's YouTube channel!

These fantastic figures come courtesy of Nielsen numbers provided by ABC, as reported by Variety and TV Insider.

From Suspension to Superstar Status: Kimmel's Epic Comeback Story Continues

Jimmy Kimmel Live! Brooklyn Week: Big Ratings & Bigger Stars! image 4

This Brooklyn success story comes on the heels of a whirlwind month for Kimmel. Just before the Brooklyn residency, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was briefly suspended by ABC's parent company, Disney, last month. This happened after comments Kimmel made about the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk sparked a national debate about free speech. Nexstar, which owns many ABC affiliates, also pulled the show for a short period.

However, Disney lifted the suspension in less than a week, and Kimmel made an emotional return to air on September 23. That return episode was a viewership juggernaut, pulling in 6.3 million viewers – making it the most-watched regularly scheduled episode ever for Jimmy Kimmel Live! It also hit a 0.87 rating with adults 18-49, the best demo rating for a regularly scheduled episode since 2015.

"I said to my wife, 'That’s it. It’s over.'"

— Jimmy Kimmel, on his show's suspension.

While the ratings for Brooklyn Week naturally settled down from that initial post-suspension surge (a 64% decrease from the return episode's Tuesday broadcast to the Thursday, Sept 25, episode which got 2.23 million total viewers), they're still incredibly strong. For context, the show was averaging around 1.77 million total viewers in Quarter 2 of 2025, according to The Independent. So, Kimmel is definitely still riding high!

It's worth noting that Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro was the very first celebrity guest to appear on the show after its return on September 23, setting the stage for the star-studded weeks that followed.

Brooklyn's Hottest Ticket: A-List Guests Galore Made for Memorable Evenings

Jimmy Kimmel Live! Brooklyn Week: Big Ratings & Bigger Stars! image 5

Part of the Brooklyn Week magic was undoubtedly the incredible roster of guests Jimmy brought to the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Howard Gilman Opera House. The energy was palpable, with audiences treated to a mix of Hollywood heavyweights, comedy giants, and music legends. Here's a peek at who graced the stage:

  • Monday, September 29: The week kicked off with the always-charming Ryan Reynolds, comedian Josh Johnson, and iconic musical guests Public Enemy. This episode was the highest-rated of the week, hitting 2.86 million viewers and a 0.47 in the 18-49 demo!
  • Tuesday: Talk about a power duo! Jimmy welcomed fellow late-night host Stephen Colbert, actor/comedian Kumail Nanjiani, and musical artist Renée Rapp. But the real surprise? An appearance by Josh Meyers as California Governor Gavin Newsom, who then brought out his brother, late-night host Seth Meyers, for an unexpected and hilarious family reunion.
  • Wednesday: The audience enjoyed conversations with the fantastic Emily Blunt and actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Indie rock band Geese provided the musical entertainment, with hip-hop legend Big Daddy Kane sitting in with Cleto and the Cletones.
  • Thursday: Movie and music fans rejoiced with interviews featuring Jeremy Allen White and the legendary Bruce Springsteen. Iconic rock band Living Colour performed, and musician Ivan Neville joined Cleto and the Cletones. Plus, the crowd went wild when Jon Stewart made a cameo, riding a bike down the aisle as a Grubhub delivery guy!
  • Friday: The week wrapped up with two absolute icons: Tom Hanks and acclaimed director Spike Lee, making for a truly unforgettable finale.

The shows weren't just about the stars, though. They were packed with political humor (Kimmel even joked, "Not unlike the C train, the government is shut down…"), hometown affection (Kimmel is from Mill Basin!), and a vibrant, rally-like atmosphere at the historic Howard Gilman Opera House.

Why Brooklyn Loves Kimmel (and Vice Versa!)

Jimmy Kimmel Live! Brooklyn Week: Big Ratings & Bigger Stars! image 6

This wasn't Jimmy Kimmel Live!'s first rodeo in Brooklyn. In fact, this marked the seventh time the talk show has broadcast from the borough since its launch in 2003 (or 2012, depending on the source, but either way, it's a frequent stop!). Hosting from the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Howard Gilman Opera House has clearly become a beloved tradition for both Kimmel and his New York fans. The energy from the local crowd is always electric, making these special weeks feel less like a typical late-night taping and more like a community celebration.

From the lively audience, some holding signs and cheering passionately, to the pre-show DJ spinning Motown, the Brooklyn experience truly set itself apart. It's clear that Kimmel's connection to the city, combined with his show's knack for bringing big names and big laughs, makes his Brooklyn visits a consistent triumph.

So, if you missed out, don't worry! The show's YouTube channel is your go-to for catching up on all the highlights. Kimmel's Brooklyn Week proved once again that he's a force to be reckoned with in the late-night landscape, blending top-tier entertainment with impressive viewership pull.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jimmy Kimmel Live!'s Brooklyn Week

When did Jimmy Kimmel Live!'s Brooklyn Week air?

Jimmy Kimmel Live!'s special Brooklyn Week aired during the week of September 29. Articles detailing its success were published in early October 2025.

Where can I watch Jimmy Kimmel Live! episodes?

You can catch new episodes of Jimmy Kimmel Live! weeknights at 11:35 p.m. ET on ABC. You can also find clips and full segments on the show's official YouTube channel and streaming platforms associated with ABC.

Why was Jimmy Kimmel's show briefly suspended before Brooklyn Week?

Jimmy Kimmel Live! was briefly suspended by ABC and its affiliates in September due to comments Kimmel made on air regarding the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk. The suspension lasted less than a week, and Kimmel addressed the issue and apologized upon his return.

How many times has Jimmy Kimmel Live! broadcast from Brooklyn?

The recent Brooklyn Week marked the seventh time that Jimmy Kimmel Live! has broadcast live from Brooklyn since the show first launched.

Sources
  • Variety Film + TV
  • TV Insider
  • The Mirror US
  • Vulture