> At a Glance
> – Jimmy Kimmel won Best Talk Show at the Jan. 4 2026 Critics Choice Awards
> – His show was suspended in Sept. 2025 after backlash over Charlie Kirk monologue, returned in <1 week
> – Childhood best friend and bandleader Cleto Escobedo III died in Nov. 2025 at 59
> – Why it matters: Kimmel’s resilience through controversy and grief offers a rare look at how public figures navigate crisis
Jimmy Kimmel stepped onto the 2026 Critics Choice Awards red carpet with a fresh trophy and a hard-earned lesson. Less than four months after his show’s brief suspension-and weeks after burying his lifelong friend-he distilled 2025 into one mantra.
The Award and the Aftermath
Kimmel collected the Best Talk Show honor and told News Of Philadelphia that “stick to your guns” defined his year. The quip landed just after Daryn Carp noted he’d built both metaphorical and literal muscles; Kimmel shot back, “Well, I didn’t say that, but I do have guns.”
The win capped a turbulent stretch:
- Sept. 2025: ABC pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” indefinitely following monologue backlash
- <1 week later: Network reversed course and returned the show to air
- Nov. 2025: Longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III died, prompting an emotional tribute
Kimmel remembered Escobedo on Instagram:
> “Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III. To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement. The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true.”
Intentions for 2026
Away from the spotlight, the host admitted he’s keeping things simple. When wife Molly McNeary asked the family for their 2026 intentions, Kimmel confessed:
> “I don’t have any intentions this year. I just kinda keep going, that’s it.”
Key Takeaways
- Kimmel’s show survived a high-profile suspension and personal tragedy within two months
- His “stick to your guns” mantra underscores a defiant rebound
- The Critics Choice win marks the late-night staple’s continued cultural relevance
- Despite renewed contract and accolades, Kimmel plans no grand resolutions-just forward momentum
With another contract year secured and a trophy in hand, Kimmel enters 2026 content to let the cameras roll and the headlines unfold.
