SHOCKING EXIT?: Jimmy Kimmel Announces END of His Show & Bids Farewell to America – “I’m Moving to Canada and NEVER Coming Back?”

In the age of social media and clickbait headlines, even the most seasoned public figures can find themselves at the center of outlandish rumors overnight. Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel has become the latest victim of a viral hoax that left fans confused and news feeds buzzing with disbelief: claims that he has not only canceled his long-running talk show but is also packing up his life in Hollywood to move to Canada — forever.

Let’s set the record straight: none of this is true.

Where Did This Rumor Come From?

It all started when a sensational headline appeared on a little-known website, loudly proclaiming: “SHOCKING EXIT?: Jimmy Kimmel Announces END of His Show & Bids Farewell to America – ‘I’m Moving to Canada and NEVER Coming Back!’” The story quickly spread like wildfire, amplified by people who shared the post without reading the fine print — or, in this case, the disclaimers.

Fact-checkers at PolitiFact were among the first to investigate the claim. They traced its origin to a “self-described satire site” known for publishing outrageous fake news for comedic effect. Unfortunately, once the link was picked up by various social media pages, the satirical context was lost — and thousands of unsuspecting readers took it at face value.

ABC and Fact-Checkers Respond

In light of the rapid spread, multiple reputable sources stepped in to calm the chaos. PolitiFact contacted ABC directly, and the network confirmed unequivocally that Jimmy Kimmel has not ended Jimmy Kimmel Live! nor does he have any plans to move north of the border.

Popular fact-checking site Snopes also looked into the rumor and reached the same conclusion: the story is fabricated. Snopes noted that Kimmel himself has never issued any statement about ending his show or leaving the United States.

Major outlets like Reuters and Inshorts echoed these findings, highlighting that there is not a shred of credible evidence backing the rumor.

How Hoaxes Like This Spread

This is not the first time a celebrity has been targeted by “satirical” news turned fake news. In fact, Jimmy Kimmel himself has often poked fun at internet hoaxes and misinformation in his monologues. Ironically, this time, he became the punchline of a false story.

Experts say such rumors thrive for two main reasons: the power of a catchy headline and the tendency for readers to share content without verifying its authenticity. In an era where misinformation can outpace truth by going viral within hours, even an obviously satirical post can morph into a widely believed “fact.”

Kimmel’s Real Status

Jimmy Kimmel has been a staple of late-night television since Jimmy Kimmel Live! first aired in 2003. For over two decades, he has built a reputation for balancing irreverent humor with heartfelt monologues, tackling everything from pop culture absurdities to political controversies.

Though Kimmel has joked in the past about retirement — and even taken extended summer breaks to spend more time with his family — he remains very much at the helm of his show. Just recently, Kimmel signed a contract extension with ABC, ensuring he’ll continue to deliver his unique brand of late-night commentary for at least a few more years.

Fans who tune in nightly know that if he were truly planning an abrupt exit, he’d likely break the news himself — in a comedic, self-deprecating monologue, perhaps with a few celebrity cameos and a running gag about moving to Canada.

Why Canada?

Interestingly, the rumor’s “Canada twist” may have seemed believable to some because Kimmel, like many celebrities, has joked about moving there in the past. Around the 2016 and 2020 U.S. presidential elections, Kimmel — along with other entertainers — made tongue-in-cheek comments about relocating if certain political outcomes occurred. These jokes were never serious and certainly were never tied to ending his show.

Canada often pops up in these kinds of celebrity rumors because it’s seen as a peaceful escape — a humorous contrast to the heated political and cultural battles that hosts like Kimmel often lampoon.

The Bigger Picture: A Lesson in Digital Literacy

This viral misunderstanding serves as yet another reminder to approach dramatic celebrity news with caution. Just because a headline shouts something shocking doesn’t mean it’s accurate. Media literacy experts stress the importance of:

Checking the original source — is it reputable or a known satire site?

Looking for official statements — has the celebrity or network confirmed the news?

Verifying with trusted outlets — credible media will cover real major announcements.

Reading beyond the headline — sometimes the story itself explains it’s a joke.

In this case, a few extra seconds could have spared fans unnecessary panic about losing their favorite late-night host.

Kimmel Is Here to Stay — For Now

For his part, Jimmy Kimmel has not commented publicly on the hoax, perhaps because debunking it himself would only draw more attention to the absurd rumor. Instead, he continues to focus on what he does best: making millions of Americans laugh — and think — each weeknight.

So, to all the loyal fans worried about saying goodbye to Jimmy Kimmel Live!, rest easy: there’s no farewell, no Canadian getaway, and no plans for Kimmel to disappear anytime soon. If anything, the fiasco is likely to become fresh material for a sharp, satirical monologue in an upcoming episode.

And when he does address it, expect him to say what he’s said about similar stunts before: Don’t believe everything you read on the internet.