Jimmy Kimmel recently disclosed a major television secret. He stated that ABC almost hired Jon Stewart for the job he now holds. This revelation came during a podcast interview this week.
The decision marked a pivotal moment for ABC's late-night lineup. Kimmel admitted he was a surprising choice at the time.
According to Kimmel, the network was on the verge of signing Stewart. Both comedians shared the same manager, James Dixon. This created a unique and challenging situation for all involved.
ABC executive Lloyd Braun saw Kimmel's tape. He then presented it to then-CEO Bob Iger. Both agreed Kimmel was the right person for the show.
The shared manager had to deliver difficult news. He informed Stewart that the deal was off. He then told him that Kimmel had gotten the position instead.
Despite benefiting from the decision, Kimmel believes it was an error. He stated he would have chosen Stewart one hundred times out of one hundred. This candid admission highlights his respect for his fellow comedian.
Kimmel was genuinely curious about ABC's reasoning. He directly asked Bob Iger why they took a chance on him. Iger's response was surprisingly frank.
The CEO told Kimmel, "You were cheaper." Everyone laughed at the remark. Kimmel knew Iger wasn't joking. He was right.