SHOCKING EXIT: Jimmy Kimmel Ends His Iconic Late-Night Reign and Declares, “I’m Moving to Canada and NEVER Coming Back”

June 23, 2025 — In a moment that left viewers gasping and industry insiders scrambling, Jimmy Kimmel, the longtime host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, stunned audiences during Monday night’s episode by announcing his immediate departure from late-night television — and from the United States altogether.

“This is it,” Kimmel said with a trembling voice during his opening monologue. “I’m moving to Canada… and I’m never coming back.”

What began as a routine show quickly turned into one of the most shocking television moments of the year — perhaps even the decade — as Kimmel bid farewell not just to Hollywood, but to America itself. The studio audience fell silent. The band stopped playing. And social media exploded.

A Sudden Goodbye After 20+ Years on Air

Kimmel’s departure comes after more than two decades as one of late-night TV’s most recognizable and influential voices. Since 2003, Jimmy Kimmel Live! has brought viewers a unique blend of political satire, celebrity mockery, heartfelt interviews, and viral comedy sketches — from “Mean Tweets” to unforgettable Oscars hosting gigs.

His longevity in the cutthroat world of late-night made him a household name and one of the few remaining traditional talk show hosts amid a shifting media landscape. But now, his time has come to a dramatic and deeply emotional end.

“I’ve done what I set out to do,” Kimmel told viewers. “And now it’s time to find peace, to breathe, to watch hockey and drink maple syrup where nobody yells about elections every 10 seconds.”

Why Canada? Why Now?

While Kimmel did not go into specifics about his relocation to Canada, many are speculating the move is both political and personal. Known for his outspoken liberal views, Kimmel has frequently used his platform to critique American policies and political figures, often drawing both praise and backlash.

In his farewell speech, Kimmel alluded to “a country that doesn’t feel like home anymore,” prompting speculation that his decision may have been fueled by ongoing political tension and cultural division.

“Sometimes, you just have to unplug,” he said. “And sometimes, you have to do it from a cabin in the Yukon with a fishing rod and a Labrador Retriever.”

Guest Hosts to Fill the Gap? Or Permanent Shutdown?

The immediate future of Jimmy Kimmel Live! remains unclear. ABC has not released an official statement on whether the show will continue with guest hosts or end permanently. However, sources within the network indicate that several high-profile names are already being considered to step into the role — though replacing Kimmel will be no easy task.

“It’s like replacing Letterman or Carson,” one anonymous network executive told Variety. “Jimmy wasn’t just a host. He was a voice. A conscience. And a hell of a comic.”

Kimmel himself hinted at a finality to his departure, stating, “There won’t be a guest host next week. There won’t be a next week at all. This is the end.”

An Industry in Shock, Celebrities React

Following the episode, celebrities and fellow comedians flooded social media with stunned reactions.

Stephen Colbert tweeted: “I always thought I’d be the first to flee. Thanks for blazing the trail, Jimmy. Canada, take good care of him.”

Rihanna, who famously appeared on the show for multiple viral segments, wrote: “No more ‘Mean Tweets’? You broke my heart, Jimmy.”

Former President Obama posted a rare Instagram Story: “Thanks for using your voice — and your platform — for good. Canada’s lucky.”

Fans, meanwhile, were torn between admiration and heartbreak.

“Jimmy Kimmel didn’t just make us laugh. He made us think. And sometimes cry,” one fan wrote. “TV won’t be the same.”

The Legacy of Jimmy Kimmel

From the earliest days of The Man Show to his transformation into one of late-night’s most politically engaged voices, Jimmy Kimmel’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. He evolved with the times — from shock comedy to genuine advocacy, especially in moments like his emotional plea for healthcare reform following his son Billy’s heart surgery.

Kimmel championed causes, tackled controversial issues, and provided a platform for both up-and-coming comedians and global superstars. He survived ratings wars, cancel culture, and pandemics — even testing positive for COVID during the 2020s and having guest hosts fill in, a moment fans now look back on as a possible preview of what’s to come.

“What made Jimmy stand out,” said one former staff writer, “was that he could make a room laugh while also speaking truth to power. He never took himself too seriously — except when it counted.”

A Nation Divided… Over a Late-Night Legend

While many celebrate Kimmel’s contributions and wish him well, not all are mourning his exit. Conservative critics — frequent targets of his biting monologues — have welcomed the news with sarcasm and thinly veiled glee.

Right-wing commentator Dan Whitmore wrote on X: “Kimmel finally did something the whole country agrees with — he left.”

Still, the overwhelming reaction across America is one of sadness, nostalgia, and gratitude.

“Jimmy’s leaving at a time when we need voices like his the most,” said one emotional viewer in Los Angeles. “But maybe that’s the point. Maybe we have to become those voices now.”

What’s Next for Jimmy Kimmel?

Though Kimmel insists he’s “done” with showbiz, few believe this is truly the last we’ll hear from him. Rumors are already swirling about a potential book deal, a documentary series on life post-Hollywood, and even a Canadian podcast in the works.

But for now, Kimmel says his plan is simple: “Sleep in. Eat poutine. And yell at moose.”

Whether he’s serious or not, one thing is clear: Jimmy Kimmel’s departure is more than just the end of a show. It’s the end of an era.

Final Thoughts: One Last Laugh

As the final credits rolled on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and the lights dimmed in that familiar Hollywood studio, there was a collective moment of silence — the kind you rarely feel through a television screen. It wasn’t just the end of a program. It was a farewell to a voice that had been in our homes for 22 years.

In typical Kimmel fashion, he left us with one last joke:

“If you need me… I’ll be the guy in a flannel shirt arguing with a maple tree.”

Farewell, Jimmy.
Canada just got funnier.
America just got a little quieter.