Jimmy Kimmel Says He Was "Intent on Retiring" Prior to Hollywood Strikes

Jimmy Kimmel says that he was ready to retire from his late night show before the writer's strike. The Jimmy Kimmel Live host shared the revelation during the first episode of the limited Spotify podcast Strike Force 5, which features Kimmel and his fellow late night hosts Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, and Seth Meyers. Meyers was quick to doubt Kimmel. Kimmel doubled down, saying he was very, very serious. He added that he likes getting the summer off from his show each year, but he likes it better when he's quote, getting paid to get the summer off. If Kimmel had made the decision to retire before the strike was called, it would have been complicated since he agreed to a three-year extension of his ABC show last year, which would bring the Emmy-nominated series through its 23rd season. On Wednesday, the five late night hosts announced the newly launched podcast, which will benefit staff impacted by the ongoing strikes. It will consist of at least 12 episodes, with all five hosts participating. For more on this story, go to THR.com. For The Hollywood Reporter News, I'm Tiffany Taylor.