ABC has removed Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its line-up indefinitely after the late-night host’s remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death.
Its parent company, Nexstar, announced on Wednesday that the show would be pulled, beginning with that night’s episode.
4
4
They explained that the move was due to Jimmy‘s recent comments about Charlie’s killing, which they found “concerning.”
Instead, the network will air “other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets,” the statement read.
The remarks in question were made during Jimmy’s monologue on Monday night’s show, where the TV star said the “MAGA gang” was trying to “score political points” off Charlie’s murder.
He followed by mocking President Donald Trump’s reaction to the fatal incident in an interview.
Charlie was shot and killed on September 10 while on stage at a debate at Utah Valley University.
The 22-year-old shooter, Tyler Robinson, was arrested three days later.
Tyler was charged with murder and is facing the death penalty for the heinous act.
Although Jimmy’s commentary elicited some laughs from the live studio audience, viewers at home were stunned that he had gone that far.
“Jimmy is just as out of touch and delusional,” one critic commented on a video of the monologue that was shared on the show’s YouTube channel.
“My respect for Kimmel just degraded,” said another.
In addition to the show’s suspension, the company demanded that Jimmy apologize to Charlie’s family and send a “meaningful personal donation” to them and Turning Point USA, an organization the father of two founded that advocates for conservative politics in high schools and colleges.
The talk show will reportedly be replaced on Friday with a Charlie Kirk tribute special on Sinclair’s ABC affiliate stations.
Just hours before Jimmy’s eyebrow-raising comments, fans applauded the TV personality for campaigning for Stephen Colbert to win the Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Series.
Colbert did secure the win at Sunday’s 77th Primetime Emmy Awards for his hosting duties on The Late Show.
Current Late-Night Shows
Late-night shows have become a staple on American television, filled with humorous takes on news, interviews with guests, and music performances.
- Jimmy Kimmel Live, ABC
- Late Night with Seth Meyers, NBC
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, NBC
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CBS
- After Midnight, CBS
- Watch What Happens Live, Bravo
- The Daily Show, Comedy Central
- Real Time with Bill Maher, HBO
He thanked his fellow nominees, Jimmy and Jon Stewart, for pushing for fans to vote for The Colbert Report alum following ABC’s abrupt cancellation of the long-running night-time talk show.
This isn’t the first time that Jimmy has gotten himself into hot water with his controversial comments on air.
However, this is a rare event that the former Academy Awards’ host’s show has been cancelled over his stunts.
The New York native only recently returned to his desk after taking his annual summer break, and in turn, had a revolving door of celebrities fill in for him.
Jimmy is one of the longest-running hosts of late-night TV, with Jimmy Kimmel Live!’s debut in 2003.
4
4