At the moment, Jimmy Kimmel is taking time off from Live. That time off might be permanent as of 2026. His contract is set to expire with ABC, and the host has teased an exit. It could be a negotiation tactic, though at the same time, Jimmy Kimmel might be interested in continuing on elsewhere given his longevity in the role.

There are rumored names floating around to take the host’s place. One of them might’ve been the last name Kimmel wanted to see on a list. We’re going to reveal who that name was, and why it created so much backlash. In addition, let’s also reveal other names currently considered to replace Kimmel and both Live, and the Oscars.

Jeremy Allen White© Provided by TheThings

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Tucker Carlson Was Rumored To Take Jimmy Kimmel’s Place, But It Was Deemed Completely False

Perhaps the only thing worse for Jimmy Kimmel would be Donald Trump replacing him on Live. At the moment, rumors are starting to swirl. Kimmel said in the past that he doesn’t think an extension will take place on his late show contract with ABC. Thus, opening the speculation to several different names. Perhaps the most particular of the group was Tucker Carlson. According to the Facebook page SpaceX Fan Club, an offer of $400 million was made. There wasn’t any confirmation, and later on, it was completely debunked.

Carlson had the highest cable rated program among US conservatives with Fox News prior to his departure. Still, Jimmy Kimmel would consider it a slap in the face. Earlier in the year, during February, Kimmel burned Tucker by “exposing” his most telling phrase. Kimmel said, “Tucker Carlson still doesn’t have a job. He’s in Moscow,” Kimmel noted. “House-hunting, I hope.”

Martin Short, Anthony Anderson, Kathryn Hahn, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman are just some of the names that recently replaced Jimmy Kimmel on Live.

Kimmel added in his monologue, “He’s a murderer, he’s a war criminal, he hates America, he hates everything America stands for, he’s a liar and a propagandist,” Kimmel said (of Putin). “But Tuck thinks we just need to hear him out.”

“I love ‘involved in this conflict,’” Kimmel said about Carlson implicating himself with Russia and Ukraine. “It’s like saying that in ‘Jaws,’ the great white shark was ‘involved in the biting.’ It takes two to be eaten, y’know.”

A recap of the moment:

Stephen Colbert© Provided by TheThings

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It remains to be seen what the future holds, but it seems highly unlikely that Carlson is the one to replace Kimmel. A replacement for Jimmy is a hot topic these days, and that includes at the Oscars, as the host recently turned down an invitation to host again.

Other Names Have Emerged To Possibly Replace Jimmy Kimmel On Live And The Oscars

There are other names to be considered. Although he’s in the sports world, Stephen A. Smith has interest in making the jump to entertainment and replacing Jimmy Kimmel.

“I’d be very interested in succeeding him,” Smith told FOS.

Stephen A. Smith replaced Jimmy Kimmel in 2021 and his gig was a major success with 1.7 million viewers tuning in. He certainly has the reach to maintain strong viewership.

Jimmy Kimmel has a net worth of $50 million.

On the other end of it, both Jimmy Kimmel and John Mulaney turned down offers to host the Oscars. Once again, a recent name to host Jimmy Kimmel Live seems to be a front-runner, Anthony Anderson. Kimmel is also a big advocate for the actor/comedian.

Jimmy Kimmel Son© Provided by TheThings

As for Kimmel and his future, he did hint at not resigning. As for what he’d do next, that hasn’t been confirmed either.

Kimmel revealed, I think this is my final contract, Kimmel told the Los Angeles Times. I hate to even say it, because everyones laughing at me now each time I think that, and then it turns out to be not the case. I still have a little more than two years left on my contract, and that seems pretty good. That seems like enough.

“I don’t know exactly what I will do. It might not be anything that anyone other than me is aware of. I have a lot of hobbies — I love to cook, I love to draw, I imagine myself learning to do sculptures. I know that when I die, if I’m fortunate enough to die on my own terms in my own bed, I’m going to think, ‘Oh, I was never able to get to this, and I was never able to get to that.’ I just know it about myself.”