The latest episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” featuring the ever-unfiltered Robert De Niro managed to achieve what some might consider a remarkable feat—it hit rock bottom in viewership. That’s right, the show nosedived to a record low, proving once again that even Hollywood legends and political tirades can’t always save sinking ships.

Robert De Niro, known for his illustrious film career and equally notable loathing of Donald Trump, didn’t mince words on Kimmel’s stage. In what can only be described as a candid expression of disdain, De Niro called Trump “so f**king stupid” and elaborated on this sentiment, much to the delight and horror of the polarized audience​ (Comic Sands)​​ (Hindustan Times)​.

Now, you might think having a two-time Oscar winner trash-talk a former president would be ratings gold. However, the reality was more akin to ratings lead. The low viewership numbers might suggest that the public’s appetite for celebrity political rants is waning—or perhaps it was just an off night for De Niro fans who were busy rewatching “Goodfellas” instead​ (Living Among Animals – We Love Animals!)​​ (Comic Sands)​.

Adding to the fiasco, Jimmy Kimmel himself hasn’t exactly been endearing himself to audiences. His recent Oscars monologue included a jab at De Niro’s May-December romance with a woman 35 years his junior, noting that De Niro’s former co-star Jodie Foster, now too old to be his girlfriend, was likely the only one laughing​ (Tyla)​​ (Hindustan Times)​. Perhaps Kimmel’s joke didn’t land quite as well as he hoped, and viewers decided they had enough of his brand of humor, leaving his show to suffer the consequences.

This debacle has sparked conversations about the future of late-night television. As the world increasingly turns to streaming services and on-demand content, traditional TV shows like Kimmel’s are struggling to maintain relevance. The plunge in ratings might be a sign that viewers are tired of the same old formula and are looking for something fresher and more innovative​ (Living Among Animals – We Love Animals!)​​ (Tyla)​.

In an era where viewers can choose from a buffet of digital content, Kimmel and his counterparts might need to reconsider their approach. Balancing entertainment with political commentary is a tightrope walk, and it seems this time, Kimmel stumbled off the wire​ (Comic Sands)​​ (Hindustan Times)​.

To sum it up, while De Niro’s Trump-bashing might have been cathartic for some, it clearly wasn’t enough to keep “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” afloat. Whether it’s a sign of audience fatigue, changing viewing habits, or just a bad night for TV, one thing is clear: the world of late-night television is in dire need of a wake-up call.