Who knew Philly grit wouldn’t translate to late-night TV? Jason Kelce‘s new show, They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce, premiered on January 4, 2025. With big Philly vibes and even bigger expectations. Filmed at Union Transfer in Philadelphia, the show brought in SNACKTIME as the house band and leaned heavily into Kelce’s charm. But despite all the hype, the ratings for the debut weren’t exactly what ESPN was hoping for.
The first episode had a packed lineup with NBA legend Charles Barkley, comedian/rapper Lil Dicky, and NFL analyst Brian Baldinger sharing the stage. Kelce’s wife, Kylie, even made an appearance with her segment, “Kylie’s Corner,” adding a personal touch. Between the interviews, an NFL playoff discussion, and a skit with Jimmy Kimmel, the show tried to balance sports talk with humor. Of course, Kelce being Kelce, he ended the night by chugging an entire beer—classic.
Jason Kelce’s ESPN late-night show ratings ‘not particularly good’ in debut https://t.co/q0lmYhpdwF
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 7, 2025
Even with the fun moments, the episode struggled to find its rhythm. The pacing felt off, and some of the segments didn’t quite land with the audience. While the concept had potential, it didn’t translate as smoothly as Jason Kelce’s podcast.
For now, ESPN and Kelce have some work to do to make the show click. With more episodes on the way, they will need to figure out how to fine-tune the mix of sports, comedy, and the Philly flavor to keep viewers coming back. While we wait for that to happen, let’s see what fans had to say about this mixed debut.
Jason Kelce’s debut on late-night TV was supposed to be a big moment, but fans weren’t exactly feeling it. “This first show is certainly going to be pretty Philly, but it will eventually evolve into a show that feels more national. But I always want the Philly roots be felt and heard. So that was an important thing for us,” Kelce said ahead of the premiere. However, his vision didn’t seem to connect with many. One user commented “Sick of both Kelces”. Signaling that the hype around both Jason and his brother, Travis, might be wearing thin. But, this was just the start of the ultimate mayhem against the former NFL player’s show.
The push to promote Jason Kelce was met with plenty of frustration, as one user commented on ESPN’s strategy. “Why are they so desperately trying to promote this guy?“. Others felt that Kelce would be better off sticking with his podcast. Where his more relaxed and authentic personality could shine through without the constraints of a primetime TV show.
The late-night time slot also sparked confusion, with one commenting, “Who is getting up at 1 AM ET to watch Jason Kelce’s show about… who knows what?” The show’s timing, particularly for East Coast viewers, raised some eyebrows. Even for West Coast audiences, airing at 10 PM PST didn’t seem to make a difference. With viewers noting that “not many people tuned in.”
Although some viewers acknowledged Jason Kelce’s charm, there was a sense that ESPN might be overdoing it with his media presence. “I like Jason, but ESPN is really overdoing it with him,”. It seemed clear that while Kelce is a likable figure, his late-night show might not be the right fit for him, leaving fans longing for something that better matched his personality.
The harshest criticism came from those who believed the hype around Kelce wouldn’t last long. Especially as the Kansas City Chiefs’ run has ended with the Broncos winning. “His 15 minutes need to end in about 2,” was the opinion of a user who felt his moment in the spotlight was fleeting. In the end, one clear message from The Paulie and Tony Fusco Show’s X handle stood out: “There’s only one show that would DOMINATE that time slot, bro.” Whether the winners of the 2024 Best Sports Comedy podcast were hinting at themselves or any other show remains unknown. But it’s clear, no one is looking at Jason Kelce with big heart eyes at the moment!
The overwhelming takeaway was that Jason Kelce’s debut late-night gig might not be the show to fill that prime real quick, and fans are already eager to see how ESPN will adjust or if the show will find its footing.
