Jimmy Kimmel is officially clocking out for his summer break, but Jimmy Kimmel Live! is not going dark. On Thursday night’s episode, Kimmel revealed that a rotating lineup of celebrity guest hosts will take over the ABC late-night show across the next couple of months.
The summer run begins with Tiffany Haddish, who is set to host the week of July 6. She will be followed by more familiar faces throughout the season, including Rosie O’Donnell, giving viewers a mix of comedy, celebrity interviews and the kind of unpredictable late-night moments the show has leaned into for years.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! Summer Guest Hosts Begin With Tiffany Haddish
Haddish is a natural fit for the guest-host chair. The comedian and actress has the quick timing, loose energy and celebrity-friendly style that late-night shows rely on when the regular host steps away. Her week will kick off the summer schedule, setting the tone for a run that should feel less like a substitute shift and more like a string of special-event episodes.
Guest-host stretches have become a smart tradition for Jimmy Kimmel Live!. They keep the show active during Kimmel’s annual summer hiatus while giving ABC a chance to test different personalities in the late-night format. For fans, it also means the interviews and monologues can change flavor from week to week.
Rosie O’Donnell Joins the Jimmy Kimmel Live! Summer Lineup
One of the biggest names in the announced guest-host mix is Rosie O’Donnell. Her return to a talk-show setting should grab attention, especially from viewers who remember her Emmy-winning daytime run and her long history as one of TV’s most direct, funny and outspoken personalities.
O’Donnell’s inclusion adds a veteran talk-show presence to the summer slate. While some guest hosts lean on stand-up or sketch comedy, Rosie brings years of experience guiding conversations, reacting in the moment and turning celebrity interviews into headlines.
Matt Damon Crashes Jimmy Kimmel in a Trojan Horse
Of course, it would not be a Kimmel send-off without Matt Damon finding a way to cause trouble. During the episode, Damon crashed the show in a Trojan horse, extending the pair’s long-running fake feud that has become one of late-night TV’s most reliable bits.
The gag played like a perfect reminder of why Kimmel and Damon’s mock rivalry still works: it is silly, self-aware and just ridiculous enough to feel fresh. The Trojan horse stunt gave the summer-host announcement a little extra chaos before Kimmel handed over the desk.
Why Jimmy Kimmel’s Summer Break Still Matters for Late-Night TV
Kimmel’s seasonal break has become part of the rhythm of modern late-night television. Rather than airing weeks of repeats, Jimmy Kimmel Live! uses the vacancy as an opportunity to bring in comedians, actors and TV personalities who can put their own spin on the format.
That approach also reflects where late-night is heading. Clips travel fast online, guest-host monologues can spark conversation, and a strong celebrity host can create viral moments even without being part of the show’s regular cast. With Tiffany Haddish starting things off and Rosie O’Donnell among the names on deck, ABC has a summer lineup built for both broadcast viewers and social media chatter.
Where to Watch Jimmy Kimmel Live! in the US, UK and EU
Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs on ABC in the United States and is available to stream next day on Hulu for US subscribers. Hulu is primarily a US service, so full-episode availability is not the same in the UK or across the EU. International viewers can often watch official clips and highlights through the show’s YouTube channel, though access may vary by region.
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