ABC has taken Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air indefinitely after Kimmel’s controversial monologue about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s killing. While Kimmel himself hasn’t given a public response, several celebrities have spoken out, and his staff is left in limbo.
What We Know So Far
- ABC confirmed the show will be pre-empted indefinitely following backlash over Kimmel’s comments.
- The remarks included Kimmel suggesting that MAGA supporters were trying to distance themselves from the shooter, Tyler Robinson, and using Kirk’s death for political advantage.
- Major ABC affiliates, including those owned by Nexstar and Sinclair, also pulled the show from their schedules.
Reactions from Jimmy Kimmel & Others
- Jimmy Kimmel hasn’t spoken publicly since the show was suspended, but shared earlier that he hoped people could agree “it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human.”
- Legendary late-night host David Letterman revealed he texted Kimmel. He said Kimmel is “sitting up in bed taking nourishment… going to be fine.”
- Letterman also strongly criticized ABC’s decision, calling it “ridiculous,” “misery,” and part of a trend toward “managed media.”
Celebrity & Industry Pushback
- Stephen Colbert called the suspension “blatant censorship” and said it’s a danger to free speech.
- Other late-night hosts including Jon Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, and others rallied in support of Kimmel.
- Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner criticized the network’s decision as giving in to political intimidation.
Status With the Show & Staff
- A staffer from Jimmy Kimmel Live! said there has been no official communication from ABC about how long the suspension might last or whether the show will come back.
- The network has not indicated when the show will return, and no apology from Kimmel has been confirmed—only that he “regretted the miscommunication.”
This situation not only leaves Jimmy Kimmel Live! on hiatus but has triggered a broader debate over media independence, free speech, and whether political pressures are influencing entertainment networks. How this unfolds—whether Kimmel returns, ABC changes its stance, or affiliates continue their pullbacks—could set important precedents for late-night shows, comedy, and political commentary in the U.S.
