Jimmy Kimmel's Best Jokes at the Disney/ABC 2026 Upfront
Variety • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Jimmy Kimmel returned to the Disney upfronts stage after a turbulent year marked by clashes with the Trump administration, which led to Disney temporarily benching him due to threats.
- Kimmel humorously addressed the controversies, noting that despite the backlash, his show’s ratings increased by 25%, generating significant engagement and financial impact for the company.
- He took jabs at Disney leadership, upcoming ABC programming including the Super Bowl broadcast, and rival networks CBS, NBC, and Fox, using satire to highlight industry dynamics and programming choices.
- Kimmel referenced ongoing political tensions, including calls from the Trump administration for his firing over a controversial joke, emphasizing the ongoing fraught relationship between late-night hosts and the White House.
- The event concluded with a surprise appearance by Kimmel’s daughter introducing a performance by Olivia Rodrigo, blending personal moments with the promotional nature of the upfronts.