Jimmy Kimmel broke down in tears during an emotional end-of-the-year monologue
The 58-year-old host began a monologue on the December 18 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! With tears, he looked back at the difficult year he had gone through, both personally and professionally.
“It’s been a tough year. We’ve had some lows, and we’ve had some highs. For me, probably more than any year in my life,” he began to say as his voice choked. “I’m crying already, I’m sorry.”
Recalling the show’s six-day suspension in September, Jamie continued: “On behalf of everyone at the show, I just want to say we appreciate your support and enthusiasm, and not just for watching — this year, you’ve literally pulled us out of a hole.”
“We cannot thank you enough on a personal and professional level,” he told his audience.
Jamie also expressed his thoughts on the wider role of late-night shows during turbulent times.
“When I hear from people who tell me that they watch our show, and the shows that my friends and colleagues do on other channels, and that it makes them feel less crazy, it makes me feel less crazy too, and I think that’s an important thing.”
He also has a message for viewers outside the US, with Jamie saying: “A lot of us aren’t happy with what’s going on. There’s still a lot more good in this country than bad, and we hope you’ll bear with us through this extended psychotic episode we’re in the middle of.”