Jimmy Kimmel ‘Determined to Quit’ Late-Night TV Before He’s ‘Axed,’ Quietly Hopes to Host ‘Jeopardy!’

Jimmy Kimmel is scouting a landing spot as the late-night landscape continues to shift — and sources say the cunning comedian is not above stabbing Ken Jennings in the back to nab his pal’s plum gig on Jeopardy.

In what would be a stunning betrayal, the funnyman is considering capitalizing on Ken’s recent ratings struggles to swipe the job out from under him — despite their friendship, pals say.

“This would surprise absolutely no one who truly knows what Jimmy is all about,” says one insider. “He can be ruthless.”

Entertainment insiders say the move would make a lot of sense for everyone involved — except for Ken, of course.

Jeopardy! producer Sony “needs an answer to Ryan Seacrest,” who hosts Wheel of Fortune, says a source. “At the same time, Jimmy is looking for a job that would leave more time for him to be with his kids — and Jeopardy! is perfect with its twice-a-week taping schedule.

“The only obstacle now is his friend Ken.”

A move to Jeopardy! would return Jimmy to his game-show roots; he launched his TV career as host of Win Ben Stein’s Money on Comedy Central. Insiders say the move also makes sense because Jimmy has ice water flowing in his veins.

As previously reported, the announced cancellation of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert in May 2026 has sent shock waves through the industry, with the remaining late-night hosts — including Jimmy, 57 — scrambling to line up a backup plan.

Meanwhile, Ken, 51, who became the full-time host of Jeopardy! in December 2023 after a prolonged competition with Mayim Bialik, has stumbled — with spiraling ratings of Celebrity Jeopardy!

“Seacrest is killing it with Wheel,” says a source. “Jeopardy! is still number one, but only by about 400,000 viewers, and his numbers are not as strong” as those of beloved longtime host Alex Trebek, who died Nov. 8, 2020, of pancreatic cancer at age 80.

Sources say Jimmy will demand that Sony execs surpass Ryan’s whopping $28 million-per-season salary, giving him a substantial raise from the $15 million he now earns annually on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

“Jimmy is determined to quit late night before he’s axed,” confides an insider. “Ken will be collateral damage — but that’s showbiz.”