Jimmy Kimmel Live! Pulled Indefinitely After Charlie Kirk Comments
Jimmy Kimmel Live! is being pulled from ABC “indefinitely” after comments that the host made about Charlie Kirk’s death. On September 10, Kirk was shot and killed while speaking on the Utah Valley University campus.
The right-wing activist’s death has sparked tense discourse and controversy across the entire political spectrum. Kimmel said on his show that “many in Maga-land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk.”
He also said that “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang 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.”
Per Deadline, an ABC spokesperson shared that “Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be preempted indefinitely.” Nexstar Media, which owns and operates many of the local television stations affiliated with ABC, also put out a statement about the decision:
Nexstar’s 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. Nexstar strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.
What This Means For Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel standing on stage together
One of the best late-night TV hosts has suddenly and shockingly had his show pulled. Since the debut of Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2003, the show has been a mainstay on late-night TV, and Kimmel has become a leading voice not only in comedy, but when it comes to providing political commentary on television.
This decision, which is bound to be controversial, comes on the heels of CBS canceling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. However, in Colbert’s case, the show will not end until the network television season comes to a close in May 2026, whereas Kimmel’s show is being pulled off of the air immediately and indefinitely.
Both Kimmel and Colbert have been outspoken about President Donald Trump’s administration, and their political commentary is an expected part of their respective series. This was true during Trump’s first term as well, but the difference is that this time, their comments have led to their shows being canceled or taken off the air.
Our Take On The Shocking Fate Of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Jimmy Kimmel in a promo for Who Wants to be a Millionaire
ABC swiftly taking Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air sends a troubling message. Colbert and Kimmel are effectively being punished for their comments in an attempt to silence and devalue their voices. Ending their shows is a misguided and futile strategy from the networks to appease the Trump administration.
From viral moments on The Colbert Show to Kimmel’s memorable monologues, the purpose of late-night TV is to entertain, inform, and to provide insightful commentary about real world events. That is what Kimmel and Colbert have consistently done, and in the case of Kimmel’s comments about the Kirk tragedy, he provided the commentary that he felt was needed.
I worry that more public figures, not only in the world of late night TV, will become increasingly reluctant to share their authentic perspectives moving forward. I also hope that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will find a new home, and one that treats the show better than ABC and Nexstar just did.
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