In the aftermath of ABC’s decision to bench “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” alongside Sinclair and Nexstar’s announcement of an indefinite hiatus, Kimmel feared that the show might be finished permanently. His worries were heightened when Sinclair issued a list of conditions, including an apology, that he would need to meet for his return.
“The thought of missing out on 40 affiliates made me think, ‘Well, this could be it.’ A list of demands was presented to me, and I was determined not to comply,” he recounted during his Wednesday appearance at the Bloomberg Screentime event in Hollywood. “I told my wife, ‘This is it. It’s over.’”
Despite these concerns, Kimmel eventually returned to the air, expressing that his comeback after the brief suspension “probably went as well as I could have hoped.” Most importantly, he emphasized that he needed a chance to clarify his intentions after his words were “deliberately, and I believe, maliciously, misrepresented.”
Kimmel’s session at Bloomberg Screentime was notable as it marked his first opportunity to address the media concerning last month’s turmoil that saw him taken off air for a few days by ABC amid backlash from Nexstar and Sinclair ABC affiliates.
Reflecting on the preparations for his comeback episode on September 23, he shared, “It had to stem from within me. It had to be honest, and I needed to be forthcoming about my feelings and experiences. I believe I achieved that. I recognized it wouldn’t be flawless; there are always dissenting voices, but my primary concern was being able to articulate what I had meant.”
When discussing his conversations with Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment co-chair Dana Walden shortly after the incident, Kimmel described them as “very productive discussions.” He clarified, “These are individuals I’ve known for many years and respect greatly. We all wanted the best outcome. I must admit, I ruined Dana’s weekend—there were endless phone calls.”
Kimmel acknowledged Walden’s crucial role in facilitating his return: “I truly believe the outcome, which was ultimately positive, largely resulted from my frequent dialogues with Dana. It provided me the space to reflect and understand the various perspectives involved. I can be somewhat reactionary and aggressive at times; having those moments to think proved beneficial.”
When asked if he had a preference for Iger’s successor, Kimmel was hesitant but expressed his admiration for Walden: “I hold Dana Walden in high regard and believe she’s performed admirably. The events of the past few weeks were unwarranted for my bosses at Disney. No one should ever find themselves in such a position; it’s outrageous. I hope we’ve established a resolute boundary about what we will tolerate as a society.”
Kimmel was sidelined for three nights by ABC after Brendan Carr, FCC chairman, threatened sanctions against the network following Kimmel’s remarks in a monologue. Carr criticized Disney after Kimmel alleged that conservative media was attempting to distort the narrative around the child who killed Charlie Kirk for political gains. Previously, before Kimmel’s suspension, Carr had indicated he would investigate ABC affiliates if Kimmel remained on-air, implying possible revocation of broadcast licenses.
Reflecting on when he first sensed trouble, Kimmel admitted, “Initially, I didn’t perceive it as a significant issue. I viewed it as a distortion from specific right-wing media, and I aimed to rectify it. I encounter challenges regularly, and it’s intriguing how sometimes you think, ‘This isn’t a problem,’ only for it to escalate, while at other times, the opposite occurs.”
Nexstar and Sinclair pulled Kimmel from their ABC stations following Carr’s comments, prompting Disney to pause “Jimmy Kimmel Live!!” However, this controversy became a focal point for free speech, allowing Kimmel to make a strong return on September 23, drawing an audience of 6.3 million viewers—marking it as the highest-rated regularly scheduled episode in its history, despite being absent from 23% of U.S. households. By week’s end, Nexstar and Sinclair reinstated the show as well.
Recently, Carr has agreed to testify before the Senate Commerce Committee regarding the circumstances that led to ABC’s temporary suspension of Kimmel.
At the Bloomberg event, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass celebrated Kimmel’s rapid return, stating, “People mobilized and insisted that Jimmy Kimmel be back on air. It marked a significant victory. Sometimes, amidst struggle and transition, it’s essential to recognize that Jimmy’s return was a triumph for all of us.”
Outside of discussing the recent events, Kimmel was invited to elaborate on his prior remarks to Variety about CBS possibly being dishonest regarding claims that “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” was canceled due to a $40 million annual loss.
“I understand the production budgets for these shows,” Kimmel disclosed, estimating them to be between $100 million and $120 million annually. “I know my salary; I know Stephen’s; I know what the ad sales personnel earn. There are factors that frequently go overlooked, like the affiliate fees that adjust the overall calculations… It’s not a $40 million shortfall. As for the show’s profitability, I could not say, but I doubt it’s losing a significant amount if at all.”
Asked about his latest thoughts on when “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” might conclude, he reiterated his pattern of evasiveness: “I frequently address that question, only to do the opposite of what I said later. I’ve mentioned previously, ‘This could be my last one,’ with the last three contracts. I’ve learned to avoid making any declarations since it worries my staff. It’s wiser for me to make decisions quietly.”
