Jimmy Kimmel on His Wild, Whirlwind, Not So Terrible or Horrible TV Year
“I’ll never forget the support from friends, strangers, and even those who generally make me throw up,” the ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ and Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ host tells THR.
Jimmy Kimmel won the Emmy for outstanding host for a game show for his stint on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire last year. He’s nominated again this year. Disney/Eric McCandless
To say “Jimmy Kimmel had an eventful year” is to utter even more of an understatement than “Regis Philbin had a Bronx accent.”
The Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and Jimmy Kimmel Live! host began the TV season in September getting suspended by ABC and nearly canceled by Donald Trump for a joke he made following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Kimmel then faced Trump’s cancellation-minded ire again this spring after he made an age-centric joke about Melania soon becoming a widow. In between? He had a pretty damn good year, as evidenced by his Emmy nominations for outstanding host of a game show for Millionaire (he is looking to repeat his 2025 win) while his late night show notched a half dozen noms, including for outstanding variety series.
How is Kimmel processing all of it? Does he feel like Stephen Colbert owes him something? What does he really think about Matt Damon’s and Ben Affleck’s performances on Millionaire? And which, um, presidential figure would he like to see on the telecast? We asked him a lightning round of questions about a slew of 2025-26 topics.
It’s been a very intense TV season for you. What will you remember most from it?
No question that what I will remember most is the reaction to our unscheduled vacation [after Kirk], which went so far beyond what I ever could have expected. I’ll never forget the support from friends, strangers and even those who generally make me throw up.
What’s the hardest thing about hosting Millionaire that we may not realize?
Pronunciation! Even the word pronunciation is hard to pronounce.
Who would you bet on to win a trivia showdown — Jamie Ding/Ben Affleck or Ken Jennings/Matt Damon?
No disrespect to Ken Jennings, but Matt Damon has the brain of a ladybug.
Who’s a celebrity you’d like to land on the show that you haven’t yet?
The Obamas would be a fun team. Also, Hall & Oates.
What’s one thing you would say to the president if you were alone in an elevator with him?
Which button do we push for a Diet Coke?
Will you be putting up another billboard for The Late Show With Stephen Colbertto win the late night Emmy?
We were hoping this time they’d get one for us.
Does John Oliver need to be stopped now that he’s back in your category?
John Oliver deserves every award that gets awarded.
What do you think is the future of primetime game shows?
You might be surprised to learn I haven’t given that much thought, but I do keep the Family Feud in my prayers.
What will it take to save the future of late night television?
A different president would be a good start.
This story first appeared in an August stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
Disclaimer: This story is fictional and created for entertainment purposes only.
Any names, characters, places, or events are fictitious or used fictitiously.
No real person or organization is intended to be portrayed.
![Hold on to your phones, because this is not a drill: Lola Consuelos, daughter of TV royalty Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, has just dropped a bombshell that has left fans reeling. The stunning 23-year-old NYU graduate, known for her quiet grace and social media presence that’s equal parts chic and elusive, has just announced that she’s expecting her first child with none other than her ultra-wealthy, enigmatic boyfriend. Who Is Lola Consuelos’ Boyfriend? All About Cassius Kidston But as if the surprise pregnancy announcement wasn’t enough to break the internet, the name the couple has chosen for their unborn child has truly set social media ablaze. And trust us—you’ve never seen anything like it. Let’s break it all down. A Secret Romance That Took Everyone by Surprise For months, fans have speculated about Lola’s mysterious boyfriend, who has only ever been seen in blurry paparazzi shots or vague Instagram stories from exotic locations. While his identity has been largely kept under wraps, here’s what we do know: he’s reportedly a young tech investor with a net worth rumored to be in the eight-figure range. Insiders describe him as “incredibly private,” “family-oriented,” and “absolutely smitten with Lola.” Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’ Daughter Lola Shares Rare Photos of Boyfriend in Anniversary Post According to a close source, the couple has been dating for over a year, splitting their time between New York, Miami, and a palatial estate in the Hamptons. Though the two have been mostly private, friends say the romance has been intense, fast-moving, and deeply rooted in mutual respect. And now, it seems, they’re taking the ultimate step together. The Pregnancy Reveal That Shocked Everyone In a surprise Instagram post that went live just this morning, Lola revealed her pregnancy with a carousel of black-and-white maternity photos. One shot shows her cradling a growing baby bump in a silk gown, while another shows her boyfriend gently kissing her stomach, both of them barefoot in a field of sunflowers. But it was the final slide—a handwritten note with a name scrawled across it—that truly stopped fans in their tracks. “Can’t wait to meet you, [REDACTED NAME] 💛” While at first the name was blurred out for suspense, just hours later, Kelly Ripa herself took to her Instagram story to share a congratulatory message—and accidentally revealed the name. The screen grab? Now going viral at breakneck speed. So… What’s the Baby’s Name? Brace yourself. The name is: Zeppelin Solstice Consuelos-Kensington. Yes, you read that right. Zeppelin. Solstice. Consuelos-Kensington. Within minutes, “Zeppelin Solstice” was trending on X (formerly Twitter), with reactions ranging from pure adoration to full-blown bewilderment. “Sounds like the name of a rock star born during a pagan moon festival,” one user quipped. Another posted, “I’m obsessed. It’s giving celestial royalty, and I’m here for it.” Others weren’t so sure. “That baby is either going to be a poet or a billionaire,” one person tweeted. “No in-between.” Fans, Critics, and the Celebrity Baby Name Craze In recent years, celebrity baby names have evolved from unique to outright outlandish. From Elon Musk’s X Æ A-12 to Cardi B’s Kulture, fans have come to expect the unexpected. But Zeppelin Solstice may just take the crown for the most mystical, majestic, and mysterious name of the decade. Who is Lola Consuelos? – Meet Kelly Ripa’s Singer Daughter What does it mean? According to name experts (yes, those exist), Zeppelin is a nod to both the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin and the iconic German airships. Meanwhile, Solstice evokes themes of nature, renewal, and cosmic alignment—perfect for a child destined to live among the stars (both literally and figuratively). What’s Next for Lola? With her baby announcement out in the open and her name dominating headlines, Lola Consuelos is stepping into an entirely new chapter of her life—one that may include marriage, motherhood, and a level of media attention she’s never experienced before. Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos have already expressed their overwhelming excitement. “We’re thrilled, over the moon, and so proud,” said Kelly in a follow-up interview with LIVE with Kelly and Mark. “Lola is going to be an incredible mother. She has the heart, the strength, and now she has Zeppelin.” Meanwhile, insiders say Lola is planning a serene birth surrounded by family, possibly at her boyfriend’s countryside estate, far from the glare of paparazzi. Still, fans are hoping for more updates—baby bump pics, nursery reveals, and maybe even a peek at the actual birth. Final Thoughts: Is This the New Era of Lola? Lola Consuelos has always been seen as the quiet daughter, the one who kept her life private while being born into Hollywood royalty. But with this dramatic, glamorous, and utterly unique baby announcement, she’s stepping into the spotlight in a way that’s totally her own. From secret romance to celestial baby names, this announcement wasn’t just a bombshell—it was a cosmic event. One thing is clear: the world will be watching every move Lola makes from here on out. And if this is just the beginning, we can’t wait to see what’s next.](https://family4.newstoday123.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/cats-74-600x400.jpg)
