Everything That Happened After 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Was Pulled Off the Air… And Why The Comic Refused to Apologize for His Charlie Kirk Comments

Jimmy Kimmel Live! faced a sudden programming change as it was replaced by Celebrity Family Feud after ABC declared the late-night show would be on an indefinite hiatus.

This decision follows Kimmel’s controversial remarks about the assassination of Charlie Kirk during his September 15 monologue. Kimmel criticized the “MAGA gang” for exploiting the tragedy for political motives, stating, “We hit some new lows over the weekend …” and jokingly remarked on President Donald Trump’s handling of the situation as “not how an adult grieves.”

The fallout escalated when FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened ABC affiliate licenses amid rising scrutiny regarding Kimmel’s comments. Ultimately, a spokesperson for ABC confirmed that Kimmel’s show would be immediately preempted.

In the aftermath of ABC’s decision, several notable figures in late-night television voiced their opinions. In his show, Jimmy Fallon stated that Kimmel’s suspension left everyone wondering what really transpired, declaring, “WTF?” He expressed support for Kimmel, calling him “a decent, loving, and funny guy.”

Stephen Colbert opened his show by expressing solidarity, stating, “Tonight, we are all Jimmy Kimmel.” Prominent hosts like Seth Meyers and David Letterman joined in, urging viewers to uphold free expression and criticizing the suppression of voices in media.

Numerous celebrities and public figures echoed these sentiments, voicing their support for Kimmel and advocacy for freedom of speech in media.

Several unions, including SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America, expressed strong backing for Jimmy Kimmel, stating that the suppression of free speech undermines societal freedoms. SAG-AFTRA emphasized that “Democracy thrives when diverse points of view are expressed,” criticizing the decision to suspend Kimmel’s show as detrimental to freedom of speech.

The WGA swiftly responded, underscoring that the rights to disagree and express differing opinions form the foundation of a free society. They condemned any attempts to silence voices speaking out against injustice or dissent.

Following the announcement of Kimmel’s suspension, Donald Trump expressed his disapproval on Air Force One, proposing that some networks could have their licenses revoked due to negative press coverage. He praised the suspension, declaring it “Great News for America” on his social media platform, claiming it reflected poorly on Kimmel’s ratings.

Reports indicate that Kimmel and ABC executives had a “cordial” meeting following the indefinite suspension, though no concrete resolutions appear to have been established at that time. The future of Jimmy Kimmel Live! remains uncertain, and many fans are eagerly awaiting news on its potential return.

On September 26, a statement from Sinclair confirmed that Jimmy Kimmel Live! is set to return to ABC affiliates that evening. Sinclair emphasized its commitment to providing programming that is both entertaining and valuable to audiences while maintaining a dedication to uphold free speech standards across its networks.

As the situation continues to evolve, audiences and fans remain hopeful for Kimmel’s return, eager to witness the next chapter of this unfolding story.