Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night return is the subject of ongoing talks after ABC suspended his show earlier this week. Disney executives and Kimmel’s team are in discussions about the conditions under which Jimmy Kimmel Live! could come back on air.
A decision for Jimmy Kimmel Live!’s return hasn’t been made yet
According to Deadline, Disney executives and Kimmel’s representatives have held multiple virtual meetings to discuss his suspension and possible return. The talks began after Disney, ABC’s parent company, pulled the show just before taping on September 17. The decision followed backlash over Kimmel’s September 15 remarks about the fatal shooting of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
Disney Entertainment co-chair Dana Walden personally delivered the order to halt production, and Nexstar soon announced it would not carry the show across its 32 ABC affiliates. The company later issued a statement that Jimmy Kimmel Live! was “preempted indefinitely.” Insiders described the situation as tense, with one source saying, “It’s an ongoing discussion, with a lot of distrust on one side. There’s no light at the end of the tunnel — yet.” Supporters protested outside Disney headquarters and the Hollywood studio after the suspension, framing the decision as a free speech issue.
Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr intensified the pressure. Donald Trump appointed him, and he has spoken out against what he calls censorship in media and technology.
He threatened broadcasters with potential investigations after Kimmel’s remarks, and reacted to the suspension by posting celebratory messages on X (formerly Twitter). Carr previously gained visibility in 2024 as a contributor to Project 2025, a conservative blueprint that criticized diversity and inclusion efforts.
Inside Disney, some executives criticized CEO Bob Iger and Walden for yielding to political backlash. One executive compared the fallout to the “Don’t Say Gay” controversy of 2022, calling the situation “like Don’t Say Gay on steroids.” Talent, including Damon Lindelof and Tatiana Maslany, expressed opposition, with Maslany even canceling her Disney+ subscription. For now, Kimmel remains off the air as negotiations continue.
Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on ComingSoon.
