In a moment that left audiences reaching for tissues, Jimmy Kimmel, the enduring king of late-night television, delivered a raw and tearful monologue on the final episode of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* for 2025. The 58-year-old host, visibly overcome with emotion, choked up almost immediately as he reflected on a year that tested him like no other – from a controversial suspension by ABC that threatened his career to the devastating personal loss of his lifelong friend and bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III.

“Thank you for joining us here at our home in beautiful Hollywood, California, for what is our final show of the year,” Kimmel began on Thursday’s broadcast, his voice already wavering. “This has been a strange year. It’s been a hard year. We’ve had some lows, we’ve had some highs. For me, maybe more than any year of my life.”

Pausing to wipe away tears, he continued, “I’m crying already, I’m sorry.” The studio audience, sensing the weight of the moment, fell silent as Kimmel opened up about the challenges that defined 2025 for him and his team.

The monologue quickly turned to gratitude for his viewers, whom he credited with saving the show during its darkest hour. “On behalf of all of us at the show, I just want to say that we appreciate your support, your enthusiasm,” Kimmel said, looking directly into the camera. “And not just for watching – this year, you literally pulled us out of a hole, and we cannot thank you enough… personally.”

That “hole” was a reference to the unprecedented six-day suspension of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* in September, a decision by ABC and parent company Disney that sparked national debates over free speech, government pressure, and the future of broadcast television. The suspension stemmed from Kimmel’s comments on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which drew sharp criticism from Trump-appointed FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and conservative groups. Carr publicly warned of regulatory action against ABC affiliates, leading to threats from station owners like Nexstar and Sinclair to preempt the show.

For a brief, terrifying moment, it appeared Kimmel’s 22-year run on ABC might end abruptly. President Donald Trump celebrated the suspension on social media, calling it “Great News for America” and lumping Kimmel in with other late-night critics. But public outcry – from fans, fellow comedians, and free speech advocates – was swift and overwhelming. The show’s return on September 23 drew record ratings, with over 6 million viewers tuning in for Kimmel’s defiant monologue defending his right to speak freely.

“We thought we might never come back,” Kimmel later reflected in interviews, though he kept his composure professional during the crisis. The incident highlighted the precarious state of late-night TV in a polarized era, especially under a second Trump administration that has repeatedly targeted critical voices in media.

Compounding the professional turmoil was profound personal grief. In November, Kimmel suffered the unexpected loss of Cleto Escobedo III, his bandleader since the show’s 2003 premiere and a childhood friend from their Las Vegas days. Escobedo, just 59, died from complications related to a liver transplant, leaving Kimmel and the *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* family reeling.

On the night Escobedo’s death was announced, Kimmel delivered what he called the “hardest monologue” of his career, tearfully recounting their inseparable bond. “Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old,” he shared on Instagram. “He was the godfather to my son… We were best men at each other’s weddings. No baggage, all love.” The show took a brief hiatus to mourn, and Escobedo’s absence was palpably felt in the studio ever since.

In Thursday’s year-end reflection, Kimmel alluded to these losses without naming them directly, instead focusing on the broader toll. “I know there are a lot harder jobs, but this is not an easy job to do,” he said. “Sometimes it feels like we’re spinning our wheels. You see so many awful and destructive acts, all this damage we inflict on ourselves on purpose, and it can make you feel crazy trying to wrap your head around these things that are so clearly wrong.”

Yet amid the hardship, Kimmel struck a note of resilience and hope. Addressing international viewers who watch clips online, he added, “I also think it’s important that we as Americans let our friends in other countries… know that a lot of us are not okay with what is happening. There is still much more good in this country than bad, and we hope that you will bear with us during this extended psychotic episode that we’re in the middle of.”

The emotional peak came as Kimmel’s eyes glistened once more, thanking fans for their role in keeping the show alive. Viewer support surged during the suspension controversy, boosting ratings and reinforcing *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*’s cultural relevance at a time when the late-night landscape is shifting dramatically.

2025 has been a watershed year for the genre. CBS announced the cancellation of *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert* earlier in the year, set to end after the 2025-26 season, citing declining ad revenue and changing viewer habits. Kimmel, long a vocal Trump critic like Colbert, faced direct attacks from the White House, with the president repeatedly calling for his firing. Despite the pressures, Kimmel recently signed a one-year extension with ABC, securing the show through May 2027 – a shorter deal than his previous three-year contracts, fueling quiet speculation about his long-term plans.

As the monologue wrapped, Kimmel transitioned to lighter fare, skewering President Trump’s recent primetime address with his signature wit. But the emotional opening lingered, a poignant reminder of the human cost behind the laughs.

Fans flooded social media with support, many sharing clips of the tearful moments and praising Kimmel’s vulnerability. “Jimmy, you’ve been our rock through all this chaos,” one viewer wrote. “Thank you for keeping us laughing – and crying when we need to.”

As *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* heads into holiday hiatus, returning in January 2026, one thing is clear: after the strangest and hardest year, Kimmel and his audience emerged stronger. Late-night television may be evolving, but as long as voices like his endure, it remains a vital space for reflection, humor, and unfiltered truth in turbulent times.