Two months after CBS canceled The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, the late night TV world took another hit when Jimmy Kimmel Live! was pulled off the air.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be pre-empted indefinitely,” a spokesperson for the network confirmed to Us Weekly on Wednesday, September 17.
The decision came after host Jimmy Kimmel faced backlash for a monologue which aired following the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk on September 10.
Nexstar Media, who owns multiple TV stations, reportedly threatened to eliminate Kimmel from its late night schedule amid the backlash. The company told Variety on Wednesday that its “owned and partner television stations affiliated with the ABC Television Network will preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! for the foreseeable future, beginning with tonight’s show.”
Keep scrolling to learn about Jimmy Kimmel Live!’s network, his comments about Kirk and more:
What Network Is ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ On?
Jimmy Kimmel Live! has aired on ABC, which is owned by Disney, since its debut in 2003. It was created following the cancellation of Politically Incorrect, Bill Maher’s late night political talk show, in 2002. Jimmy Kimmel Live! premiered immediately after the Super Bowl in January 2003 and went on to become ABC’s longest-running late night talk show.
Why Was ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Pulled From ABC?
The talk show’s suspension came after Kimmel made headlines for a monologue in which he spoke about Tyler Robinson, who was accused of fatally shooting Kirk at the Turning Point USA founder’s event at Utah Valley University.
“The MAGA Gang [is] desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said. “In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”
Nexstar told Variety in a statement that it “strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk” and would be replacing Kimmel’s talk show with alternative programming.
Prior to the comments made on his talk show, Kimmel took to Instagram on the day of Kirk’s death and condemned gun violence.
“Instead of angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human?” he wrote. “On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fall victim to senseless gun violence.”
Has Jimmy Kimmel Reacted to His Talk Show Suspension?
Kimmel has yet to publicly respond to the suspension. Us reached out to ABC and reps for Kimmel for comment.
Though Kimmel has not reacted to the news, plenty of others have weighed in on the controversy. President Donald Trump celebrated the decision via his Truth Social platform.
“Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED,” he wrote. “Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.”
Trump then took aim at Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, who both have late night talk shows on NBC.
“Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible,” he claimed. “That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT.”
Meanwhile, Sophia Bush reposted the news via X and wrote, “The First Amendment doesn’t exist in America anymore. Fascism is here and it’s chilling.”
Danica Patrick celebrated the show’s removal, writing via her Instagram Story, “Human decency is coming back thank god.”
Wanda Sykes, who had been scheduled to appear on Kimmel’s show before the suspension, said via Instagram, “Let’s see. He didn’t end the Ukraine war or solve Gaza within his first week. But he did end freedom of speech within his first year. Hey, for those of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy.”
Has ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Been Replaced?
ABC aired a rerun of Celebrity Family Feud on Wednesday in place of Jimmy Kimmel Live! Sinclair Broadcast Group, an ABC affiliate, also announced plans to air a special honoring Kirk in Kimmel’s time slot beginning Friday, September 19.
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