In an emotional sign-off to a tumultuous year, Jimmy Kimmel fought back tears during the final episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on December 18, 2025, reflecting on what he called the “strangest, hardest year” of his life. The late-night host, visibly moved, thanked viewers for their unwavering support amid professional turmoil and profound personal grief, including a brief ABC suspension and the devastating death of his longtime bandleader and childhood best friend, Cleto Escobedo III.
Kimmel opened the monologue choking up: “This has been a strange year. It’s been a hard year. 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.” Wiping away tears, he addressed the audience directly: “You literally pulled us out of a hole this year. We cannot thank you enough… personally.” The “hole” referenced the show’s temporary suspension in September 2025, when ABC pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” off the air for nearly a week following backlash to Kimmel’s comments on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Pressure from affiliates and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr intensified the controversy, but viewer outcry helped swiftly reinstate the program.
Compounding the professional strain was the November 2025 passing of Cleto Escobedo III at age 59 from complications related to liver issues. Escobedo, Kimmel’s friend since age nine and the saxophonist leading Cleto and the Cletones since the show’s 2003 launch, was eulogized in a tearful tribute episode. Kimmel described him as an “older brother” figure—no baggage, all love—and noted the band’s father-son dynamic with Cleto Sr. as unique in late-night TV.
Broader challenges marked 2025: ongoing political feuds, including attacks from President Donald Trump, and national events that left Kimmel feeling the weight of “awful and destructive acts.” Yet he emphasized late-night comedy’s role in providing sanity: “When people tell me our shows make them feel less crazy, it makes me feel less crazy too.”
Kimmel’s contract extension through 2027 offers stability entering 2026, with the host channeling vulnerability into gratitude. Fans praised the raw moment online, appreciating his authenticity in an industry often guarded. As the year closed, Kimmel’s monologue reminded viewers of resilience amid adversity, blending humor’s healing power with heartfelt thanks for loyalty that kept the show afloat.
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