Jimmy Kimmel Says ABC ‘Was About to Close a Deal’ for Jon Stewart to Host Late Night When Execs Watched Kimmel’s Tape; Bob Iger Told Him: ‘You’re Cheaper’

The landscape of late-night television could have looked significantly different had a pivotal decision at ABC gone another way in the early 2000s. Jimmy Kimmel, now a seasoned late-night host, recently shared a revealing anecdote about how close Jon Stewart came to securing the very job that eventually launched Jimmy Kimmel Live!. This tale highlights a moment of corporate decision-making, where an unexpected audition tape and a pragmatic financial consideration led to one of TV’s most enduring careers.

The Near Miss: Jon Stewart and ABC’s Late-Night Plans

In the early 2000s, ABC was in the market for a new late-night host. The network sought to replace Bill Maher’s “Politically Incorrect,” which had occupied a half-hour slot since its move to ABC in 1997. The goal was to establish a more traditional late-night talk show. According to Kimmel, Jon Stewart, already a well-regarded figure thanks to his successful tenure on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” was the frontrunner for the position. Both Kimmel and Stewart shared the same manager, James “Baby Doll” Dixon, who was reportedly on the verge of finalizing a deal for Stewart to host the new ABC program.

An Unforeseen Twist: Kimmel’s Audition Tape

Just as a deal with Stewart seemed imminent, a crucial turn of events unfolded. ABC chairman Lloyd Braun happened to view Jimmy Kimmel’s audition tape. Kimmel, at the time, was primarily known for co-hosting Comedy Central’s “The Man Show,” a program with a decidedly different tone than traditional late-night fare. Despite his less conventional background for the role, Braun was reportedly impressed, feeling that Kimmel “might be the guy.” This tape was then shown to Bob Iger, who was then a senior executive at ABC (and later the CEO of The Walt Disney Company). Iger concurred with Braun’s assessment, leading to a swift pivot in ABC’s hiring plans. The unexpected outcome placed their shared manager, James Dixon, in the awkward position of informing Stewart that he would not be going to ABC, as Kimmel had secured the role.

“You’re Cheaper”: The Practicality Behind the Choice

Kimmel himself was reportedly surprised by the network’s decision, especially given Stewart’s established reputation as a late-night personality. He recounted asking Bob Iger directly about the reasoning behind hiring him, a host from “The Man Show” who also did football picks, over a recognized talent like Stewart. Iger’s candid response was concise and unvarnished: “Well, you were cheaper.” While the remark elicited laughter, Kimmel understood it to be a truthful, pragmatic explanation. This financial consideration, alongside the executives’ belief in Kimmel’s potential, ultimately steered ABC’s late-night strategy in a new direction.

The Tumultuous Genesis of Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Jimmy Kimmel Live! premiered in 2003, and Kimmel has openly acknowledged the considerable challenges faced during its nascent stages. He has described watching the first year of his shows as a “painful” experience, indicating that it took a significant amount of time for the team to find their footing and refine the program’s identity. Despite the initial struggles and what Kimmel characterized as a “tumultuous” period, the show managed to garner sufficient ratings to remain on the air, allowing it the crucial time needed to evolve into the established late-night fixture it is today.

Conclusion

Jimmy Kimmel’s recollection offers a rare glimpse into the often-unpredictable nature of television executive decisions. The story of how Jon Stewart nearly hosted ABC’s late-night show, only for Jimmy Kimmel to secure the spot due to a compelling audition tape and, as Iger plainly stated, being “cheaper,” underscores the blend of talent, timing, and financial realities that shape the entertainment industry. It’s a testament to the unforeseen paths that can lead to enduring success in the highly competitive world of late-night television.