Late-Night Ratings Surge as Jimmy Kimmel Wins Critics Choice Award

The Daily Show returns from hiatus following record-breaking 2025 ratings as Jimmy Kimmel accepts the Best Talk Show trophy at the Critics Choice Awards.Jon Stewart and a rotating team of hosts drove a 16% ratings increase for the Comedy Central program while Kimmel used his speech to sarcastically thank Donald Trump.The industry success follows a turbulent year for Kimmel who faced a six-day suspension in 2025 after a free speech dispute involving the FCC.