After two decades lighting up late-night, Jimmy Kimmel‘s talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, suddenly went dark. ABC pulled the plug in September 2025, a move that sent ripples through the entertainment world. For 22 years, Kimmel’s self-titled program had been a fixture, but then came the unexpected announcement.
"Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be suspended indefinitely," an ABC spokesperson told a prominent news channel in a statement at the time. Kimmel himself didn’t immediately speak out about the abrupt halt. This sudden pause even meant recently recorded episodes were canceled.
Why Was “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Taken Off ABC?
The show’s removal wasn’t a simple programming change. A report from Variety pointed to a bigger dispute. Disney-owned ABC made the decision after Nexstar Media reportedly threatened not to air the show. Nexstar runs many stations affiliated with ABC. The media company declared it "strongly opposes Mr. Kimmel’s recent comments about the murder of Charlie Kirk." They planned to fill Jimmy Kimmel Live!‘s slot with other shows.
What Did Jimmy Kimmel Say About Charlie Kirk?
Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist, died at 31 in September 2025. He was shot and killed. On his September 15, 2025, talk show episode, Kimmel didn’t hold back. He accused conservatives of stooping to "new lows." They were trying to suggest Tyler Robinson, currently jailed for Kirk’s murder, was part of the far-left, Kimmel explained.
Charlie Kirk Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
"The MAGA gang is desperately trying to show this guy who murdered Charlie Kirk as someone outside their group," Kimmel said. "They are doing everything possible to politically capitalize on that. Amidst the accusations, there was mourning." Days before this, Kimmel had posted on Instagram condemning gun violence. "Instead of pointing fingers, can we even for one day accept that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human being?" he wrote earlier that month. "In my family’s name, we send our love to the Kirks and all the children, parents, and innocent people who are victims of senseless gun violence."
How Did the Federal Communications Commission Respond?
The FCC, an independent U.S. agency, oversees radio, television, and cable communications. Even before ABC’s decision, the organization’s chairman, Brendan Carr, had called for Kimmel’s suspension. He made his stance clear on The Benny Show. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way," Carr stated. "These companies can find ways to change their behavior and take action regarding Kimmel, or the FCC will have additional work ahead."
What Replaced “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on ABC?
On September 17, 2025, ABC aired a rerun of Celebrity Family Feud. This filled the slot where a new Kimmel episode was supposed to be. Sinclair Broadcast Group, an ABC affiliate, went a different route. They decided to broadcast a special tribute to Kirk, starting September 19, 2025. On that same day, protesters gathered outside the Jimmy Kimmel Live! studio in Hollywood, California.
Jimmy Kimmel and John Oliver on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”. Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images
How Jimmy Kimmel’s Staff Was Informed About the Situation
The sudden halt left many in the dark. A source shared with a prominent news channel that employees "were initially told that the suspension was only for the rest of this week." The confusion grew as "nobody knows what’s really happening." This left the staff feeling anxious about returning to the studio.
Meanwhile, Kimmel reportedly learned of ABC’s big decision only hours before it became public. Deadline reported that the TV host received a "serious and professional" phone call. Disney executive Dana Walden, who co-chairs the entertainment division, delivered the news that same afternoon.