NEWSJimmy Kimmel Breaks Down While Thanking Viewers for Support After Show's Suspension Drama: It's Been a 'Strange' and 'Hard' Year
Jimmy Kimmel got choked up during his show's final episode of the year.
Dec. 19 2025, Published 11:03 a.m. ET
Jimmy Kimmel got emotional as he delivered his final monologue of the year.
Thanking his viewers on the Thursday, December 18, episode, the Jimmy Kimmel Live! host broke down as he said, "This has been a strange year. It’s been a hard year," adding, "We’ve had some lows, we’ve had some highs. For me, maybe more than any year of my life."
"I’m crying already, I’m sorry," he said.
Jimmy Kimmel Thanked Viewers for Sticking With Him After Suspension Drama
Jimmy Kimmel thanked his viewers for sticking with the show.
The comedian, 58, continued, "I just want to say that we appreciate your support, your enthusiasm, and not just for watching. This year, you literally pulled us out of a hole, and we cannot thank you enough personally."
The "hole" Kimmel was referring to was when his show faced suspension in September due to pressure from Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, whom Donald Trump appointed.
Carr threatened to revoke ABC’s license over Kimmel’s material after the comedian made "insensitive" jokes about late right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, suggesting the MAGA movement planned to use Kirk's murder for political gain.
Jimmy Kimmel's show was suspended for a week in September.
The show returned just one week after it was put on put on an indefinite hiatus following the September 15 broadcast.
According to a source, though, Kimmel allegedly "wanted to leave ABC and expected not to be coming back at all" — but is said to have returned for his staff.
"[Kimmel] might not be leaving ABC now... he will once his contract is up [in 2026] unless they offer him a boatload of money," the insider claimed.
- Jimmy Kimmel Chokes Up as He Makes His Big Return to His Late-Night Show Following ABC's Controversial Suspension Over Charlie Kirk Comments
- Jimmy Kimmel and ABC Had 'Cordial' Meeting After Shocking Suspension But Didn't Come to a 'Resolution,' Insiders Spill: It's a 'Standoff'
- Jimmy Kimmel Returned to 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' 'Out of Respect for Everyone That Works for Him' After Suspension Drama
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Jimmy Kimmel Lost His Best Friend and Bandleader This Year
Jimmy Kimmel broke down in tears in November after losing his best friend and bandleader.
Another one of the "lows" Kimmel was referring to was the untimely death of his best friend Cleto Escobedo III at age 59 just last month. Escobedo, who served as the late-night show's longtime bandleader, passed away from complications after a liver transplant.
Kimmel delivered a tearful tribute to his childhood friend, who died less than 24 hours before the Tuesday, November 11, episode.
The late-night host also broke down while speaking about coworker losing their homes due to the Los Angeles wildfires in January.
'There is Still Much More Good in This Country Than Bad'
Jimmy Kimmel closed out his monologue by telling his international viewers that he's 'not ok' with what's happening in the U.S.
Kimmel closed out his monologue on Thursday with references to the Trump administration, as well as the Brown University shooting and the murders of Rob and Michele Reiner, citing "many awful and destructive acts" happening throughout the country.
“When I hear from people who tell me that they watch our show, and the shows that my friends and colleagues do on the other channels, and that it makes them feel less crazy, it makes me feel less crazy too," Kimmel said.
He continued, "I also believe it is important that we as Americans let our friends in other countries... know that a lot of us are not OK with what is happening."
The star then addressed his international viewers, saying, "There is still much more good in this country than bad, and we hope that you will bear with us during this extended psychotic episode that we’re in the middle of."
