Overview
- On Ted Danson’s podcast, Kimmel said ABC was close to signing Stewart before Lloyd Braun and Bob Iger chose him after viewing his tape.
- Kimmel said the network “made a mistake,” adding he would have hired Stewart “100 times out of 100.”
- He recounted Bob Iger telling him he got the job because he was cheaper than Stewart.
- Kimmel described his early seasons as rocky, recalling nights without booked guests and admitting he sometimes hoped ABC would cancel the show.
- The revelation follows his September suspension and reinstatement over comments about Charlie Kirk, with his return episode drawing roughly 6.2–6.3 million TV viewers despite some affiliate preemptions.