ABC’s Insane $400 Million Gamble: Tucker Carlson Snags a Mega-Contract to Replace Jimmy Kimmel, Axing a Comedy Legend for a Conservative Firebrand—Will This Explosive Late-Night Swap Shatter Ratings or Sink the Network in a Polarized TV Apocalypse?
On April 7, 2025, ABC dropped a bombshell that’s rocking the TV world: Tucker Carlson, the polarizing ex-Fox News titan, has inked a jaw-dropping contract—rumored at $400 million—to helm a new late-night show, replacing Jimmy Kimmel Live! after 22 years. The move, confirmed by ABC insiders, swaps Kimmel’s comedy for Carlson’s conservative fire, aiming to jolt a sagging time slot and challenge The View’s daytime dominance. “This is seismic,” one exec whispered to Variety. X is ablaze with reactions, from “Finally, a real voice!” to “ABC’s lost its mind!”
Carlson, 55, exited Fox in 2023 amid lawsuits and controversy, building a digital empire on X with millions of followers. Now, he’s back on mainstream airwaves, promising to “disrupt the late-night echo chamber” with debate over satire. “I’ll tackle what matters,” he told The Hollywood Reporter, hinting at a format blending politics and provocation. It’s a stark pivot from Kimmel’s Mean Tweets and Trump jabs, which, despite Emmys, saw ratings slip—down 15% since 2022, per Nielsen. ABC’s bet? Carlson’s loyal base will follow, flipping a liberal bastion into a conservative stronghold.
Kimmel, 57, took the news with grace. “Two decades is a hell of a run—I’m proud,” he said on X, bowing out after his 2022 contract extension ends in 2025. Fans mourned: “End of an era,” one tweeted, while others raged, “Tucker over Jimmy? ABC’s pandering to MAGA.” The backlash is fierce—progressives call it a betrayal of late-night’s comedic roots. Yet, Carlson’s supporters cheer a “truth-teller” crashing the 11:35 p.m. slot, with one X post gloating, “Whoopi’s next!”—a nod to CBS’s Kelly-Owens coup.
The stakes are sky-high. Late-night TV, once Johnny Carson’s domain, has leaned left since Jon Stewart’s Daily Show heyday. Carlson’s arrival—backed by a deal dwarfing Kimmel’s $15 million annual salary—could redefine it. “He’s not here to joke; he’s here to fight,” analyst Mark Dice told Deadline. But can he draw beyond his base? Kimmel averaged 1.5 million viewers in 2024; Carlson’s X rants top 20 million. If half tune in, ABC wins. If not, it’s a costly flop in a shrinking ad market.
As production gears up—launch eyed for June—questions swirl. Will Carlson soften for broader appeal or double down on divisive takes? “He’s got six months to figure it out,” an insider said. For now, ABC’s rolling the dice on a culture-war curveball. Love him or loathe him, Carlson’s late-night reign starts soon—and TV may never recover.
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