Jimmy Kimmel Reveals Jon Stewart Almost Got His ABC Late-Night Deal — and Admits It Was a Mistake

Jimmy Kimmel recently shared a behind-the-scenes revelation about his rise to hosting ABC’s late-night slot, admitting that legendary comedian Jon Stewart was very close to landing the gig before Disney executives saw Kimmel’s audition tape.

In an interview, Kimmel recalled the moment:

“Jon and I have the same manager, James ‘Baby Doll’ Dixon, and James was about to close this deal for Jon to host the show… [ABC chairman Lloyd Braun] watched my tape and he was like, ‘I think this might be the guy.’ And he brought the tape to Bob Iger and Iger said, ‘Yeah, I think this might be the guy.’ It was a very strange thing because [James] was in the difficult position of having to tell Jon, ‘Uh, you’re not going to ABC, but Jimmy is going to ABC.’”

Kimmel admitted that while he benefited from the opportunity, he recognizes the network made a questionable decision:

“That was a mistake, by the way. 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 story provides rare insight into the high-stakes world of network television, where decisions often hinge on timing, gut instincts, and a few influential executives. While Kimmel ultimately secured the hosting role, he has consistently praised Stewart’s talents, acknowledging that Stewart might have been the more natural fit for the show at the time.

A Moment That Shaped Late-Night Television

Kimmel’s candid reflection underscores the delicate dynamics of late-night programming and the impact of key players behind the scenes. Jon Stewart, who would go on to achieve massive success with The Daily Show, could have reshaped ABC’s late-night landscape if the original deal had gone through.

Industry insiders say such near-misses are common, noting that the network’s decision likely changed the trajectory of both comedians’ careers, as well as late-night television history.