In a rapidly shifting media landscape where the once-mighty late-night empires are crumbling under the weight of partisanship, plummeting ad revenue, and viewer fatigue, a new bombshell has rattled Hollywood: Jimmy Kimmel could be the next domino to fall.

According to insiders close to the network, ABC may be preparing to quietly retire its longtime host just as CBS unceremoniously pulled the plug on Stephen Colbert. And while industry veterans once dismissed such rumors as mere noise, the signs now point to a deliberate, coordinated purge of late-night television’s most politically polarizing figures — all ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

“This is not just about television anymore,” said one media strategist familiar with the shift. “This is about narrative control. It’s about damage mitigation. And frankly, it’s about saving what’s left of legacy media.”

The Colbert Catalyst

Stephen Colbert’s shocking departure from The Late Show — the same chair once occupied by David Letterman — has been dubbed by some as the beginning of the “Legacy Media Massacre.” But sources claim the real story behind the curtain is even messier. Colbert allegedly learned of his show’s fate just hours after lambasting his own network, Paramount, for its legal settlement with Donald Trump.

Some speculate this wasn’t a coincidence but a corporate gut-punch disguised as polite retirement. “He thought he was untouchable,” one panelist claimed in a recent viral video. “But the truth is, he lit the match and didn’t expect to be the first to burn.”

Enter Kimmel: The Last Stand?

Now, all eyes turn to Jimmy Kimmel, ABC’s long-standing late-night figurehead who, until recently, appeared to be in a stable position. But a growing consensus says his days may be numbered. Kimmel himself hinted last year that he wasn’t sure if he’d re-sign with Disney after his contract expires — a comment many now believe was strategic groundwork laid by the network.

“Let’s be real,” said one analyst. “Jimmy didn’t suddenly get tired of money. The writing’s on the wall. ABC doesn’t want a political liability on-air come midterms. They need clean exits and clean slates.”

And Kimmel, often criticized for leaning heavily into partisan monologues and Trump-bashing tirades, may be too far removed from Middle America for the network’s comfort.

Beyond Kimmel: The View in the Crosshairs?

The rumor mill doesn’t stop with late-night. Some sources suggest that ABC could also be looking at a “total cultural reset,” with long-controversial daytime show The View reportedly on “borrowed time.” Political figures like Adam Schiff and Elizabeth Warren are said to be “alarmed” at the potential loss of what many consider a key outlet for progressive messaging.

“It’s about the midterms,” one host said bluntly. “These shows are propaganda tools that no longer work — in fact, they backfire. You’re not preaching to a choir anymore; you’re yelling at an empty pew.”

A New Comedy Era?

If ABC and CBS are both hitting the reset button, where does that leave comedy?

Panelists suggest a new wave of “apolitical comedians” could fill the vacuum. “There are hundreds of genuinely funny comics out there,” one guest noted. “They don’t want to talk politics. They just want to make people laugh. And they’ll do it for a fraction of what Kimmel and Colbert cost.”

This shift could mark a return to more traditional late-night formats — less culture war, more punchlines. “It’s cheaper, safer, and frankly, more entertaining,” said one producer.

Political Optics or Financial Necessity?

Though many attribute the late-night implosion to partisan backlash, there’s another factor looming large: money. The shows are expensive to produce and generate diminishing returns in a world dominated by streaming, TikTok, and on-demand viewing.

“Colbert and Kimmel were allowed to fail upward for too long,” said one insider. “Their ratings didn’t justify their salaries. The political angle just gave Disney and CBS cover.”

There’s also speculation that Colbert’s exit was masked as a political statement to preserve future job opportunities — perhaps even at MSNBC. “He didn’t want people looking too closely at the ad revenue. Better to say ‘I was canceled for being brave’ than ‘I was too expensive to keep.’”

Whether or not Jimmy Kimmel truly exits stage left in the coming months, one thing is clear: the age of untouchable late-night royalty is over. As audiences tune out and corporations tighten belts, legacy media is undergoing a painful — but perhaps necessary — evolution.

And as one commentator joked, “We’re going to need a bigger audience… or maybe just better jokes.”