COMING UP ROSIES Controversial TV star to replace Jimmy Kimmel as host ‘steps back’ from his talk show
A late-night shake-up is coming to Jimmy Kimmel Live! – and one controversial TV star is stepping in while the host steps away.
The comic’s summer hiatus has become an annual tradition, but this year’s guest host lineup while he’s on break is already raising eyebrows for leaning into scandal.
Jimmy Kimmel, pictured here hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live!, will use a roster of A-listers to fill in for his hiatusCredit: Getty
Rosie O’Donnell is seen leaving on June 15, 2026 in New York City ahead of stepping in as guest host on Jimmy Kimmel Live!Credit: Getty
That mystery replacement is none other than comedy and acting icon, Rosie O’Donnell.
Jimmy Kimmel, 58, revealed that Rosie, 64, will be among a stacked list of celebrity guest hosts filling in during his two-month hiatus from ABC’s late-night staple.
He made the announcement during Thursday night’s show, joking that Rosie’s booking was “a special treat” for President Donald Trump – a nod to their decades-long public feud.
“And all I ask in return, Mr. President, is that you don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone,” Jimmy joked with a burst of laughter from the audience.
ABC is ‘ready to pull’ Jimmy Kimmel as host refuses to apologize to Trumps
Rosie has been in a years-long feud with Trump long before he announced his 2016 presidential run.
All the way back in 2006, when Rosie was a co-host on The View, she slammed the Celebrity Apprentice host as a “snake-oil salesman” and criticized his treatment of women.
While Rosie is one of the more buzzed-about guest hosts, she isn’t the only familiar face taking the reins.
Jimmy confirmed that Tiffany Haddish, Colman Domingo, Ike Barinholtz, Anthony Anderson and country star Jelly Roll, who is fresh off his divorce from Bunnie XO, will also rotate in while he’s gone.
Tiffany Haddish has previously hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! during his vacation breaksCredit: Getty
Jelly Roll has been a frequent visitor of Jimmy Kimmel Live!Credit: Getty
The host has taken a summer break nearly every year since 2020, first starting the tradition during the pandemic.
At the time, he insisted there was “nothing wrong” and said he simply wanted time off with family, and it appears 2026 is no different.
He is often joined for the European yacht getaway by A-list friends, including Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman.
The timing comes after one of the most chaotic years of Jimmy’s career.
Jimmy Kimmel is seen heading into his talk show on May 04, 2026 in Los Angeles, CaliforniaCredit: Getty
Rosie O’Donnell & Lisa Ann Walter as celebrity guests with Jimmy Kimmel on Who Wants to Be a MillionaireCredit: ABC
The late-night star has spent much of 2026 locked in an escalating war of words with Trump, repeatedly blasting the president on-air and on social media.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! also briefly went dark after wider industry fallout and political tensions, with ABC pulling his show temporarily during a spat with the White House.
The host later described the period as “almost a near-death experience” for his show.
Now, with Rosie, one of Trump’s oldest celebrity enemies, stepping in, it looks like Jimmy may be keeping the heat on D.C. even while he’s on vacation.
