sat . Jimmy Kimmel Fights Back Tears During Emotional Final Show of 2025: “You Pulled Us Out of a Hole”
LOS ANGELES — Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel struggled to hold back tears during the final episode of his show in 2025, delivering an emotional monologue that reflected on what he called “a hard year” — personally, professionally, and nationally.
“This has been a strange year. It’s been a hard year,” Kimmel told viewers, his voice cracking. “We’ve had some lows, we’ve had some highs. For me, maybe more than any year of my life. I’m crying already, I’m sorry.”
The longtime host paused repeatedly as the studio audience applauded, giving him moments to collect himself. Kimmel used the closing minutes not for jokes, but for gratitude — thanking fans for their loyalty and emotional support throughout a turbulent year.
“I just want to say that we appreciate your support, your enthusiasm — and not just for watching,” he said. “This year, you literally pulled us out of a hole, and we cannot thank you enough personally.”
Kimmel went on to reflect on the deeper role late-night television has played for viewers during uncertain times. He said he is often moved when people tell him that watching his show — and the shows of his friends and colleagues across networks — helps them feel less isolated.
“When I hear from people who say that watching makes them feel less crazy,” Kimmel said, “it makes me feel less crazy too.”
In one of the most striking moments of the monologue, Kimmel widened his message beyond American borders, acknowledging global audiences who may be watching events in the United States with concern.
“I also believe it’s important that we as Americans let our friends in other countries know,” he said, “that a lot of us are not okay with what is happening.”
Despite his frustration and fatigue, Kimmel ended on a note of cautious hope, emphasizing his belief in the country’s underlying decency.
“There is still much more good in this country than bad,” he said. “And we hope that you will bear with us during this extended psychotic episode that we’re in the middle of.”
The monologue closed to a long standing ovation — a rare, unguarded moment for a host best known for humor — underscoring how deeply the year, and the audience’s response, had affected him.
As the lights dimmed on the final show of 2025, Kimmel’s message was clear: the laughter mattered, but so did the connection.
