History of Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Timeline

Jimmy Kimmel Live! is a late-night talk show hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, airing on ABC since January 26, 2003. Initially part of ABC's Super Bowl lead-out programming, it originally aired at 12:05 a.m. ET/PT before moving to 11:35 p.m. in 2013. Taped at the El Capitan Entertainment Centre in Hollywood, the show stopped airing live regularly after an incident in 2004 involving uncensored language from a guest.

2003: Jimmy Kimmel Game Night begins

From the show's debut in 2003, Jimmy Kimmel Game Night aired as lead-in programming to ABC's coverage of the NBA Finals.

January 2005: Set redesign

In January 2005, the original set of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, located at the TV studio in the Hollywood Masonic Temple, was replaced with the current set which features a city in the background. The band also moved to the right side of the stage.

June 2005: Concert series partnered with Pontiac

In June 2005, Jimmy Kimmel Live! partnered with Pontiac for its concert series, which were held on the "Pontiac Garage" outdoor stage in Hollywood.

September 12, 2006: Matt Damon's appearance cut short

On September 12, 2006, Matt Damon appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! but after a lengthy introduction, Kimmel claimed they were out of time and cut Damon's appearance short. Damon responded with expletives and walked off the set.

September 16, 2006: Lionel Richie uses 3D backdrop

During Lionel Richie's outdoor stage performances on September 16, 2006, a 3D image of a city, created by artists Colin Cheer and Brian Walters, was used as a backdrop.

December 17, 2006: Kimmel acknowledges Damon incident was a joke

In the December 17, 2006, issue of USA Weekend, Jimmy Kimmel acknowledged that the Matt Damon incident on his show was a planned joke.

February 25, 2007: 3D Collage Set

In the special February 25, 2007, episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the background picture was replaced with a 3D collage of Los Angeles and Hollywood including the Dolby Theatre.

June 5, 2007: Guillermo interviews Damon but cuts it short

On June 5, 2007, Guillermo was sent to interview Matt Damon at the Ocean's Thirteen premiere. He then cut the interview short claiming they were out of time, leading Damon to believe Kimmel was behind it.

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August 2, 2007: Guillermo replaces Damon as Jason Bourne

On the August 2, 2007, episode, Guillermo took on Matt Damon's role of Jason Bourne for The Bourne Ultimatum. A clip was shown with Guillermo as Bourne until Damon arrived, accusing Kimmel of trying to replace him in the movie.

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January 31, 2008: Sarah Silverman's "I'm Fucking Matt Damon" music video

On January 31, 2008, Sarah Silverman appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and announced, via a music video, that she had been "fucking Matt Damon." Damon ended the video by telling Kimmel, "Jimmy, we're out of time. Sorry."

2008: Emmy Award for Silverman's Damon video

In 2008, the "I'm Fucking Matt Damon" segment won a Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics.

January 21, 2009: Death of Veatrice Rice

On January 21, 2009, Veatrice Rice, a parking lot security guard who had her own segments on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, passed away from cancer.

April 15, 2009: Broadcast in 720p High Definition

On April 15, 2009, Jimmy Kimmel Live! began broadcasting in 720p high definition.

October 2009: Bud Light replaces Pontiac as sponsor

Beginning in October 2009, Anheuser-Busch's Bud Light replaced Pontiac as the segment's sponsor for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! Concert Series.

December 2009: Uncle Frank's absence

Starting in December 2009, Francis "Uncle Frank" Potenza, Jimmy Kimmel's uncle and the show's security guard, did not appear regularly on Jimmy Kimmel Live! due to illness.

January 12, 2010: Kimmel parodies Jay Leno

During the 2010 Tonight Show conflict, Kimmel donned a gray wig and fake chin, performing his entire January 12, 2010, show in character as Jay Leno. He parodied Leno's bandleader and referenced Conan O'Brien's "People of Earth" letter.

January 26, 2010: Uncle Frank appearance

On January 26, 2010, Uncle Frank Potenza appeared on the seventh anniversary show, in the midst of his absence due to illness.

March 2010: Uncle Frank's absence

Until March 2010, Francis "Uncle Frank" Potenza, Jimmy Kimmel's uncle and the show's security guard, did not appear regularly on Jimmy Kimmel Live! due to illness.

2010: "The Handsome Men's Club" featuring Matt Damon

In Jimmy Kimmel's 2010 post-Oscar show, he featured a clip called "The Handsome Men's Club", which ended with Matt Damon telling Kimmel, "We're all out of time," then bursting into evil laughter after Kimmel was ejected from the club for not being handsome enough.

August 23, 2011: Death of Francis "Uncle Frank" Potenza

On August 23, 2011, Francis "Uncle Frank" Potenza, Jimmy Kimmel's uncle and a security guard on the show, passed away at the age of 77.

October 27, 2011: New opening sequence introduced

On October 27, 2011, Jimmy Kimmel Live! introduced a new opening sequence that depicted Kimmel zip-lining through Hollywood until he arrived at the theater.

2011: Matt Damon comments

In 2011, Matt Damon revealed that Kimmel's running joke of apologizing to Damon for running out of time started during a show with substandard guests.

March 2012: "Mean Tweets" segment featured

In March 2012, Jimmy Kimmel Live! featured a segment called "Mean Tweets" with celebrities reading aloud actual tweets directed toward them by Twitter users.

2012: Kimmel discusses Leno's past ABC discussions

In 2012, Kimmel discussed Jay Leno's past discussions with ABC. Leno had been in serious discussions with ABC about the possibility of jumping ship from NBC some years prior to 2012. During this period, Leno initiated a friendship with Kimmel, wanting to ensure that they would be on good terms if the move was made.

2012: Matt Damon in Kimmel's Oscars parody

In 2012, Matt Damon appeared in Jimmy Kimmel's Oscars parody, "Movie: The Movie," as a grape suit-wearing character whose scene was cut. He also appeared in the sequel trailer, 'Movie: The Movie 2', as an alien.

2012: Friday rebroadcast of recent episode

Until 2012, Jimmy Kimmel Live! showed rebroadcasts of recent episodes on Fridays.

January 8, 2013: Move to 11:35 p.m. ET/PT

On January 8, 2013, Jimmy Kimmel Live! moved from its original 12:05 a.m. ET/PT timeslot to 11:35 p.m. ET/PT.

January 2013: Sony sponsors Concert Series

In January 2013, Sony took over sponsorship of the Jimmy Kimmel Live Concert Series.

January 2013: Premiere of Jimmy Kimmel Live! This Week

Starting in January 2013, the Friday episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! was retitled Jimmy Kimmel Live! This Week, featuring highlights from the week's shows.

January 24, 2013: Matt Damon hosts 'Jimmy Kimmel Sucks!'

For the 10th anniversary episode on January 24, 2013, Matt Damon took over hosting duties, renaming the show Jimmy Kimmel Sucks! Damon took command of the show, while Kimmel was tied to a chair and gagged. Damon then replaced Guillermo with Andy Garcia and bandleader Cleto with Sheryl Crow, before bringing in Robin Williams to do the monologue.

August 2013: Guillermo crashes Matt Damon interview

In August 2013, Guillermo crashed Matt Damon's interview about his upcoming movie Elysium, promoting his own movie "Estupido" with a poster pointing at Matt Damon. The poster was flipped to reveal another movie called "Ass Face", again pointing at Damon. Matt accused Guillermo of acting on Kimmel's orders.

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2013: Kimmel's explanation of the Matt Damon joke

During a 2013 appearance on Fresh Air, Jimmy Kimmel further explained that he chose Matt Damon's name for the running joke because he was the first A-list actor that came to mind who "we absolutely would not bump if he was on the show".

February 2014: Jay Leno's Retirement

Following the retirement of Jay Leno in February 2014, Kimmel became the second-longest serving current host in late-night television after Conan O'Brien.

February 2014: Matt Damon's appearance with The Monuments Men cast

In February 2014, Matt Damon was invited with the cast of The Monuments Men. Damon sat in another seat. A fake fire was activated at the end of the show when Kimmel asked Damon a question.

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September 20, 2014: Show airs on Citytv

From 2012 until September 20, 2014, Jimmy Kimmel Live! aired on Citytv in Canada.

September 22, 2014: Show airs on CTV Comedy Channel

Jimmy Kimmel Live! began airing on CTV Comedy Channel in Canada on September 22, 2014, initially airing in simulcast with ABC.

2014: AT&T sponsors Concert Series

In 2014, AT&T took over sponsorship of the Jimmy Kimmel Live Concert Series.

January 2015: New opening sequence premiered

In January 2015, Jimmy Kimmel Live! premiered a new opening sequence created by Industrial Light & Magic. The sequence began with Kimmel turning on the lights of Los Angeles from the Hollywood sign.

January 2015: Program tape-delayed on CTV Comedy Channel

In January 2015, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was tape-delayed to midnight on CTV Comedy Channel in Canada.

February 2015: Interview through Cisco's Jabber Guest with Viola Davis

In February 2015, an interview was conducted through Cisco's Jabber Guest with actress Viola Davis after the first-season finale of How to Get Away with Murder, due to weather issues preventing her from flying to Los Angeles.

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March 2015: President Obama participates in "Mean Tweets"

In March 2015, President Barack Obama participated in a "President Obama edition" of "Mean Tweets", during which he read tweets from people mocking his jeans and blaming him for the high price of beer.

May 2015: David Letterman's Retirement

Following the retirement of David Letterman in May 2015, Kimmel became the second-longest serving current host in late-night television after Conan O'Brien.

August 2015: Jon Stewart's Retirement

Following the retirement of Jon Stewart in August 2015, Kimmel became the second-longest serving current host in late-night television after Conan O'Brien.

September 22, 2015: Program airs on The Comedy Channel again

The Comedy Channel resumed airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! from September 22, 2015, in Australia.

September 23, 2015: Show premieres in India

Jimmy Kimmel Live! premiered in India on September 23, 2015, airing weeknights at 9:00 pm (IST) on STAR World India.

2015: Samsung sponsors Concert Series

In 2015, Samsung replaced AT&T as the segment's sponsor for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! Concert Series.

2016: Damon emerges from Affleck's coat

During Kimmel's 2016 post-Oscar special, Ben Affleck wore a large coat, and Matt Damon emerged from it for an interview. Kimmel removed Damon from the studio, then interviewed Affleck. Damon later appeared in a sketch about Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice as Mark Watney.

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2016: Cîroc sponsors Concert Series

In 2016, Cîroc replaced Samsung as the segment's sponsor for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! Concert Series.

February 26, 2017: Kimmel renews feud with Damon at the Oscars

When Kimmel hosted the 89th Academy Awards on February 26, 2017, he continued his feud with Matt Damon, criticizing his film We Bought a Zoo, introducing him as Ben Affleck's "guest", and playing him off with the orchestra.

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August 2017: Show stops airing on The Comedy Network

Jimmy Kimmel Live! aired on The Comedy Network in Canada until the end of August 2017.

2017: Mercedes-Benz sponsors Concert Series

In 2017, Mercedes-Benz became the segment's sponsor for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! Concert Series.

August 2018: Show stops airing on CMT Canada

Jimmy Kimmel Live! aired on CMT Canada until August 2018.

October 3, 2018: EAS Tone Misuse

On the October 3, 2018, episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the Emergency Alert System (EAS) tone was misused.

May 2019: Contract Extension

In May 2019, Jimmy Kimmel and ABC agreed to extend his contract to host the show until 2022, the show's twentieth season.

August 15, 2019: FCC Fine for EAS Tone Misuse

On August 15, 2019, ABC and Jimmy Kimmel Live! were fined $395,000 by the FCC for misusing the Emergency Alert System (EAS) tone on the October 3, 2018, episode.

2019: Hearst Television Agreement

In 2019, Hearst Television's newest affiliation agreement forced their ABC affiliates to give up their ability to delay Jimmy Kimmel Live!, causing the show to air across the network at 11:35 p.m. ET/10:35 p.m. CT on most stations.

March 16, 2020: Production Suspended Due to COVID-19

On March 16, 2020, Jimmy Kimmel Live! suspended production due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

June 2020: Damon emerges from Kimmel's bedroom during pandemic

In June 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Matt Damon emerged from Jimmy Kimmel's bedroom while Kimmel was hosting the show from home, revealing he had been there the entire pandemic. It was then revealed Kimmel's wife had been cheating on him with Damon. Kimmel then told Damon he is not on the show.

June 18, 2020: Kimmel Hiatus Announced

On June 18, 2020, Jimmy Kimmel announced he was taking a hiatus from the show, with guest hosts filling in until he returned with the new television season.

August 2020: Kids create opening sequence

From March to August 2020, while Jimmy Kimmel Live! was filmed from his home, Kimmel's kids created a unique opening sequence.

September 2020: Lighter tone introduction

From September 2020 to May 2021, Dicky Barrett, the show's announcer, would say "And now, Jimmy Kimmel." to give a lighter tone.

September 2020: Return to studio with new intro

Starting in late September 2020, upon Kimmel's return to the studio, a picture of the classic 1962 ABC ID, fully recreated for the widescreen format, was used.

September 21, 2020: Show Returns Without Studio Audience

On September 21, 2020, Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned to the air, taping from the Hollywood Masonic Temple without a studio audience, resuming its 60-minute format.

October 30, 2020: Classic ABC ID picture used

On October 30, 2020, Jimmy Kimmel Live! used a picture of the classic 1962 ABC ID, fully recreated for the widescreen format, alongside the animated version.

January 2021: Return to At-Home Format

In January 2021, Jimmy Kimmel Live! briefly returned to its at-home format due to a local increase in COVID-19 cases, following guidance from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

May 2021: End of lighter tone introduction

From September 2020 to May 2021, Dicky Barrett, the show's announcer, would say "And now, Jimmy Kimmel." to give a lighter tone. As of May 2021, the show reverted to a different tone.

May 2021: Return of audience with simplified intro

Starting in May 2021, with the return of the audience, the simplified intro began showing the show's logo from multiple angles.

2021: Conan O'Brien's Show Ends

In 2021, Conan O'Brien's show ended, making Jimmy Kimmel the longest-tenured host in late-night television.

April 1, 2022: Justin Timberlake impersonates Matt Damon

On April 1, 2022, Jimmy Fallon hosted in place of Kimmel for April Fools' Day and announced Matt Damon as a guest. Instead, Justin Timberlake appeared wearing Boston Red Sox apparel and carrying a Dunkin' Donuts coffee cup, impersonating Matt Damon. Timberlake spray painted "I <3 Matt Damon" on Kimmel's desk.

July 7, 2022: Game show spin-off premieres

A quiz show segment between different generations of family members from Jimmy Kimmel Live! was spun off into its own game show produced by Kimmel and Mark Burnett, premiering on July 7, 2022, hosted by Kelly Ripa.

October 30, 2022: Ratings increase

As of November 2022, Jimmy Kimmel Live! is watched by 1,746,000 people, with a 0.56% rating, up +23% from October 23 to October 30, 2022.

December 2022: Classic ABC ID removed

In December 2022, the classic 1962 ABC ID picture was removed from the Jimmy Kimmel Live! intro.

2022: Jimmy Kimmel Game Night airs until 2022

From the show's debut in 2003 until 2022, about four to seven half-hour basketball-themed broadcasts under the title Jimmy Kimmel Game Night aired as lead-in programming to ABC's coverage of the NBA Finals.

2022: Dicky Barrett Replacement

In 2022, Dicky Barrett left Jimmy Kimmel Live! and was replaced by Lou Wilson as the show's announcer.

2022: Show returns to Citytv tape delayed

In 2022, Jimmy Kimmel Live! returns tape delayed to Citytv in Canada.

2022: Jimmy Earl replaced by Rhonda Smith

In 2022, Rhonda Smith replaced Jimmy Earl on bass in The Cletones after his retirement.

2022: Lou Wilson replaces Dicky Barrett

Starting in 2022, Lou Wilson replaced Dicky Barrett as the show's announcer.

September 2023: "Previously on Jimmy Kimmel Live!" segment begins

Beginning in September 2023, Jimmy Kimmel Live! aired a "Previously on Jimmy Kimmel Live!" segment before the title sequence.

September 2023: Sign turned on after "Previously on" segment

Starting in September 2023, the simplified intro began showing the show's logo from multiple angles, which now includes the sign being turned on after the "Previously on Jimmy Kimmel Live!" segment.

2023: Jimmy Kimmel Game Night discontinued

Jimmy Kimmel Game Night, a basketball-themed broadcast, was discontinued in 2023 after the NBA moved up its weeknight start times, and the show also had complications due to a writers' strike.

February 2024: "Previously on Jimmy Kimmel Live!" segment discontinued

In late February 2024, the "Previously on Jimmy Kimmel Live!" segment was discontinued.

February 21, 2024: Hinted Contract Expiration

On February 21, 2024, Jimmy Kimmel hinted in an interview that he may not renew his contract for Jimmy Kimmel Live! after it expires in May 2026.

January 8, 2025: Suspension of Production

On January 8, 2025, it was announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would suspend production due to the ongoing wildfires in Southern California, where El Capitan, the filming spot for the show, is located.

January 13, 2025: Resumption of Production

On January 13, 2025, it was announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would resume production at El Capitan effective immediately after the suspension due to the wildfires in Southern California.

January 2025: New intro premiered

In late January 2025, a new intro premiered on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, featuring drone flyovers of Hollywood landmarks and performances by Cleto and the Cletones.

November 11, 2025: Death of Cleto Escobedo III

On November 11, 2025, Jimmy Kimmel announced via Instagram that Cleto Escobedo III, the bandleader since 2003, had died that day.

November 17, 2025: Band Name Change

On November 17, 2025, the Jimmy Kimmel Live! house band was renamed The Cletones following the death of original bandleader Cleto Escobedo III.

December 2025: Contract Extension Announcement

In December 2025, Jimmy Kimmel announced that he had extended his contract by one additional year, setting it to expire in May 2027.

2025: FCC Chair Warns Action

On September 17 2025, FCC chair Brendan Carr warned that action could be taken against ABC for remarks made by Jimmy Kimmel during a monologue the previous night.