Jimmy Kimmel, one of America’s most prominent late-night hosts, is suddenly off the air after ABC announced an indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
The decision follows days of mounting backlash over Kimmel’s remarks about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
What began as a pointed joke quickly escalated into a media storm that now threatens to reshape the future of late-night television.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been a staple of ABC’s late-night lineup since 2003. The show blends sharp monologues on current events with celebrity interviews, comedy sketches, and live musical performances. Over the years, Kimmel has carved out a niche as both entertainer and political satirist, winning Emmys while also drawing fire for his willingness to wade into sensitive topics.
The program’s mix of humor and commentary has made it a cultural fixture in U.S. television, with viral sketches like “Mean Tweets” and heartfelt interviews that touch on personal and political issues. But that same edge has often put Kimmel at the center of national debates about the role of comedy in politics.
The latest storm began with Kimmel’s monologues on September 15 and 16. Addressing the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, Kimmel struck a tone that critics called disrespectful. He used irony and dark humor in ways that many conservatives saw as mocking Kirk’s death. Clips of the jokes circulated online almost instantly, sparking outrage across political and media circles.
While supporters defended Kimmel as exercising satire — a cornerstone of late-night comedy — critics accused him of crossing a line into insensitivity. The backlash grew louder as right-leaning broadcasters and commentators amplified the outrage.
The controversy quickly moved beyond social media. Two major U.S. broadcasting groups, Nexstar and Sinclair, announced they would drop Jimmy Kimmel Live! from their affiliate stations. This meant that in many regions, the show would no longer be available even before ABC made its suspension official.
Adding to the pressure, FCC Chair Brendan Carr publicly warned ABC over the monologues. Although the Federal Communications Commission does not typically intervene in late-night satire, Carr’s remarks underscored the political heat surrounding the issue. Some affiliates reportedly demanded that ABC secure a public apology and even financial reparations before considering the program’s return.
On September 18, ABC announced it was suspending Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely. The network stopped short of saying the show was canceled outright, but the word “indefinite” left little clarity about whether viewers should expect a return. Neither ABC nor Kimmel issued further comment immediately after the announcement.
The timing is sensitive: ABC’s parent company, Disney, is navigating regulatory approvals for ongoing business deals. Industry analysts suggest that the network may have felt pressure to avoid unnecessary political battles that could complicate those processes.
The suspension has sparked a fierce cultural debate.
Supporters of Kimmel — including many in Hollywood — frame the decision as a blow to free expression and a chilling moment for comedy. They argue that satire, especially when it touches on politics, will always offend someone, and that networks should defend rather than silence their talent.
Critics, however, say the suspension was overdue. To them, Kimmel’s remarks about Kirk were tasteless, insensitive, and beyond the boundaries of responsible broadcasting. Former U.S. President Donald Trump even weighed in, mocking both Kimmel and ABC, while conservative groups celebrated the decision as accountability in action.
The suspension also follows news of CBS’s decision to end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026. Colbert, another politically outspoken host, has clashed with his network in recent months, fueling speculation that networks are becoming more risk-averse when it comes to hosts who blur the line between comedy and politics.