Jimmy Kimmel Breaks Silence on ABC Suspension in First Interview Since Show's Return
Jimmy Kimmel made his first public appearance since Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned to air following a sudden suspension by ABC, sitting down with fellow late-night host Stephen Colbert on The Late Show Tuesday night.
Jimmy Kimmel details his ABC suspension, audience walkout, and media frenzy in first interview since Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned to air.
Scott Kowalchyk/CBS
Colbert opened the conversation by asking how Kimmel learned his show would be taken off air indefinitely. The comedian described it as a surreal experience. On September 17, about 90 minutes before taping, Kimmel received a call from ABC executives. With limited privacy in his office, he took the call from the bathroom, where he was informed the network was concerned about what he might say on-air and decided to pull the show.
According to Kimmel, he opposed the decision but was outvoted. He recalled walking out of the bathroom, informing his team of the abrupt change, and realizing the gravity of the moment. His wife noted how pale he looked, comparing him to comedian Jim Gaffigan, as he processed the possibility that his show might not return.
The timing added further complexity. A full audience was already seated, and guests—including chef Christian Petroni, who had prepared a meal of meatballs and polenta—were scheduled to appear. Musician Howard Jones had been slated to perform and ultimately still recorded a version of "Things Can Only Get Better", though without the live audience.
Kimmel remained at the El Capitan Entertainment Centre for several hours after the cancellation. On his way home, he was followed by numerous paparazzi, with helicopters overhead and photographers attempting to capture photos of him without makeup. He joked that his unpainted bald spot was not ready for national exposure.
At home, the situation weighed heavily on Kimmel and his family. He described the following days as isolating, comparing the silence to “three days in jail,” during which he refrained from commenting publicly while handling an influx of calls. He acknowledged Colbert’s personal outreach and shared that he heard from nearly everyone he’s known.
The suspension followed a controversial comment Kimmel made during the September 15 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!. The remark, which referenced conservative political figures and the killing of a young man, sparked criticism online and drew attention from FCC chair Brendan Carr. The controversy led ABC to temporarily suspend the program.
Political figures responded swiftly. Former President Donald Trump celebrated Kimmel’s temporary removal from the air, while others in both politics and entertainment criticized the decision, framing it as a free speech issue.
Colbert asked whether a younger Kimmel could have imagined a U.S. president celebrating his show’s suspension. Kimmel responded bluntly, saying he never anticipated a president would celebrate Americans losing their jobs. He expressed disbelief that a leader would take pleasure in such an event, stating that such behavior runs counter to the responsibilities of presidential leadership.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! resumed broadcast on September 23.
