‘Jimmy Kimmel’ Replacement Revealed After Charlie Kirk Comments End in Indefinite Removal
Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night future is on pause, and ABC has already lined up a replacement in his absence.
ABC officially suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely following backlash over remarks the comedian made regarding the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah. Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was killed last week during the launch of his “The American Comeback Tour.”
Kimmel sparked outrage when he accused MAGA supporters of attempting to “characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them … to score political points.” Critics quickly pointed out inaccuracies, with The New York Times reporting that investigators say the suspected shooter expressed left-wing, pro-LGBTQ views.
The fallout was swift. Nexstar, one of the largest ABC affiliate owners, announced it would pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! “for the foreseeable future,” labeling Kimmel’s comments “offensive and insensitive.” Sinclair followed suit, amplifying the pressure on ABC.
Federal officials also weighed in. FCC Chair Brendan Carr condemned Kimmel’s statements, describing them as misleading, and suggested consequences for ABC if the matter wasn’t addressed. He praised Nexstar and Sinclair’s swift actions. The response, however, has raised concerns among some media commentators, who warn the backlash could have implications for free speech in broadcasting.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! Replacement Confirmed
Sinclair revealed it will fill Kimmel’s Friday timeslot with a Charlie Kirk tribute special airing on its ABC stations beginning this week. The company also extended the offer to other ABC affiliates nationwide.
“Media conglomerate Sinclair will replace the Friday timeslot of Jimmy Kimmel Live! with a Charlie Kirk tribute special on its ABC affiliate stations–and is offering the special to all other ABC stations across the country,” Variety reported.
“In addition, the company is demanding that Kimmel apologize to Kirk’s family and send ‘a meaningful personal donation’ to them as well as Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk founded that advocates for conservative politics in high schools and colleges,” Variety added. “Sinclair, one of the U.S.’s large TV station owners, has long had a reputation for having a politically conservative tilt.”
Carr, who was appointed FCC Chairman under President Trump, took a hard stance earlier this week, warning (via CNN): “We can do this the easy way or the hard way; These companies can find ways to change conduct and take actions on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
Sinclair’s vice chairman Jason Smith echoed Carr’s words, stating (via Variety): “We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities. We appreciate FCC Chairman Carr’s remarks today, and this incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks.”
For now, the ripple effect is clear: Kimmel is sidelined indefinitely, affiliates are cutting ties, Sinclair is programming a Kirk special in his place, and federal regulators are putting pressure on broadcasters.
What are your thoughts on ABC’s handling of the Kimmel controversy? Let us know in the comments below.
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Truly disgusting. Hopefully the unions act on this like they did with Chapek.
I grew up on Disney. I was at Disneyland the week after it opened, and have been an annual passholder since the program started. I started with Disney+ at 12:01AM the day it aired. However I think this act is dispicable and Walt must be turning over in his grave to think that his company would allow political pressure to (dare I say it?) trump the constitutional right to freedom of speech. I have followed Jimmy Kimmel since he was just the sidekick to Be Stein on Win Ben Stein’s Money (on which I was a winning contestant) and have long both loved and hated his comments, yet I realized he was entitled to his opinions even if they were not my own. Shame on the folks at the top of the new Disney ladder for this outrageous deed. Bring Jimmy Kimmel back. or I, like many of my friends, may have to rethink my addiction to all things Disney and forego renewing my Magic Key and that of my husband, and possibly cancelling Disney+ and shunning the ABC shows I have watched and loved for years, including Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.
Agreed!! I love your comments!
I completely agree with your comments.!!! I am beyond disappointed with Disney and ABC ! Passholder, DVC member, D23 member… all in danger of being cancelled by me.
not good for Disney, they’ll have maga all over the parks and regret it.
Why? I’m just curious how it would make them regret it. I mean…how could you even tell? All the money looks the same?
Don’t know why everyone is blaming Disney. The company that owns the majority stations in the US made the decision to pull Kimmel. If the truth be known Kimmel’s ratings have been tanking in the last couple of years. He’s vile and disgusting so good riddance.
This country is based on free speech. We were always told that I may not like what you say but I will defend your right to say it. So shame on Disney for kowtowing to a bully and a felon!aA
Apparently Freedom of Speech only applies to Republicans.
Canceled both Disney+ and Hulu this morning. If you do, make sure you go back and leave a more detailed comment on why. There is a button at the bottom that says contact us. Take that step because there is not really an appropriate selection to choose when canceling. Just attended the park on Saturday and turned my pass into an annual pass, but since it is within the first 30 days, I am canceling that as well. As someone else said, and I will clarify, this is not all on Disney. The FCC threatened ABC’s broadcasting license, which is why Disney who owns ABC did what they did. But there are consequences. Disney could have pushed back but they didn’t. And, they might have had the clout to do it, one of the few companies that do. But now we’ll never know.
The FCC and the Donald need to realize freedom of speech is essential for a democratic nation! And why does Mr Kirk get so much air time when a sitting senator and her husband were killed and the press only covered it for a couple of days. Somebody needs to grow a pair and call out the government for inappropriate actions!!!
Everyone is crying “Free Speech”, well speech is free, but you still need to be responsible for what you say, that part is lost on many. When people want to spew hate towards someone who was killed and celebrate their death, that is just wrong, sure you can be free to say whatever you want, but that also means you need to accept the consequences for your words or actions, again a concept that many do not want to accept. Whether it is Kimmel, the View, or any of the other “news” channels which are laser focused on continually bashing anything they do not agree with instead of providing actual news or entertainment, there are going to be some who love the HATE and just want more, and others that will get sick of the lies.. I am obviously too old, but decades ago the news was just news and the late night TV was entertainment, not 100% political bashing. I know there are many in this country who welcome crime, think that any enforcement of laws is evil, they want a100% free no questions-asked borders, they think the government is there to give away billions of $ to those who come here only because they will get a free ride and not need to even let the government know they are here, get a job, or pay taxes, and they also know that if they do commit a crime in certain parts of the country all will be forgiven and they will be immediately free to do more, and love the fact that some cities actually want to be a sanctuary for all of this. If Kimmel wants to start a YouTube or other channel where all he does is spew hate for anything other than what he and all of his hate loving followers thrive on, then let him to it, y’all can be happy haters. But if you are going to be on public airways there is a responsibility of being truthful, or at least faking an attempt at it. All of the Trump haters need to at least let him have a chance to make things work, I am sure you do not like the idea. During his first term he could not get much done because between the news and the DC SWAMP politics they were just 1000% focused in burying him in anything they could make up or send the DOJ after him.. I don’t really like everything about Trump, now one is perfect, but I think he was a better choice than the alternative. Really, Kamala and Waltz….I guess would have been better than Biden, but any combination of that is just scary.
Again, you have no idea what the word free means. Stop worshiping a tyrant. You’re the bad guy.
I could not have said this better myself! Bravo!!
First, Jimmy Kimmel had previously posted heartfelt sympathy to Charlie Kirk’s wife and children as he also had done one air. He did not celebrate Charlie Kirk’s death. His monolog was primarily about Trump which was true. There was a small statement about some MAGA trying to find blame to far left. This also was true. When someone kills a person it is their responsibility alone. Nobody deserves to be killed. Free speech is the issue and the pressure to silence and threaten through the FCC was extremely wrong and contrary to the First Amendment. Disney and ABC were wrong. Bob and the other decision makers should resign along with Brenden Carr!
Very well said MR Ducks!
Words have consequences and those who constantly spew hatred don’t want to take responsibility for their words and the actions that happen as a result of those words. They are all for ‘free speech’ as long as that speech esposes their ideas and beliefs. But when it is speech different than their beliefs and ideas, they want to shut it down. Free speech has to go both ways. There is no place for hatred and rage that stirs up someone to kill another person no matter which political party you support.
So I am called a bag guy and accused of worshiping a tyrant if I say you need to be responsible for what you say, ………no hate there – lol. Just too funny, predictable, and sad. Ignore facts and just call people names and throw accusations. Accomplishes nothing, and does not solve any problems, kind of like our politicians in general – they spend more time hating each other than getting anything done which makes a difference.
That’s not all you said. In fact, that’s not at all what you said.
You demanded we give Trump a chance to “make things work,” which to you apparently means the ability to shut down all dissent. Not going to happen.
Poor ratings were the reason, and his foolish lies just were a final reason to get rid of him. You get FCC funding it means you work for the ENTIRE nation not just a smaller portion of the nation. They are seeing what following the Woke folks is costing their bottom line. Going back to what used to work is where the dollars are for their brands.
MR Ducks….according to some you also known as Bad Guy and Tyrant Worshiper here (maybe change my name here to make it easier for all of you) – “at least give him a chance to make things work” is not a demand, everyone realizes that will not happen, because everyone vows full dissent and commits 100% to getting in the way of what anyone wants to accomplish no matter which “side” you are on, because everyone is blinded by their “side” instead of wanting to come to any type of agreement on making anything work, it is government as usual and nothing happens. Spinning the wheels in the swamp and fighting with each other instead of making any progress, no matter what you want to have done, it just does not get done. This has gotten way off topic, of the bottom line that freedom of speech does not mean freedom of responsibility.
All these people complaining about free speech violations, were silent when the Biden administration told Facebook to censor COVID-19 comments, which turned out to be the truth. They were also silent when the NY Post Hunter Biden laptop story was pulled from social media, so we don’t need to hear from you now.
Thank you!! 👏👏👏
I spoke out against both of those. Why do you now think, that after just complaining about yourself being censored by the government, it is justified for the government to censor others? Are you just a hypocrite?
There WAS freedom of speech in this country. I enjoy Jimmy Kimmel. I watch him. If you don’t like him. Don’t watch his show. I do not like FOX news. So therefore I do not watch it
I am a fervent Disney fan. Even own DVC. This disturbs me. Disney had no right to bend and do what was told by the administration to punish him. This is against everything that this country USED to stand for
Put Kimmel back on- show the country you believe in the constitution not this administration
Show some integrity do the right thing
Huge mistake. You will feel the consequences