ABC Nearly Tapped Jon Stewart to Host Late Night Before Jimmy Kimmel
Los Angeles, CA – In a stunning revelation, jimmy Kimmel disclosed that ABC was on the verge of offering the late-night hosting job that ultimately launched his career to Jon Stewart, not him. The near-miss, detailed in a recent interview on ted Danson’s podcast, highlights the pivotal decisions that shape television history and underscores the often-unpredictable nature of show business success.
According to Kimmel, ABC chairman Lloyd Braun and then-president Bob Iger favored Stewart, already a rising star thanks to “The Daily Show,” over Kimmel, who was known for his work on Comedy Central’s “The Man Show.” Kimmel’s manager,James “Baby Doll” Dixon,was reportedly “about to close this deal for Jon” when Iger intervened,stating he believed Kimmel “might be the guy.” Dixon was then tasked with informing Stewart he hadn’t been selected. “That was a mistake incidentally,” Kimmel quipped. “They definitely should hire Jon. If I’m in that position, there’s no question I hire John 100 times out of a 100.”
The decision ultimately came down to finances. Kimmel recalled asking Iger why he was chosen over Stewart, to which Iger responded bluntly, “Well, you were cheaper.” Kimmel noted that while the comment elicited laughter, he knew Iger was being truthful. ”jimmy Kimmel Live!” debuted in 2003, and Kimmel admits the show’s early years were fraught with challenges, describing rewatching his first year of shows as “as painful as anything could get.” Despite early struggles and frequent controversies, the show gained traction, securing Kimmel a long-running late-night slot and establishing him as a prominent figure in entertainment.
