EXPLAINER
As Jimmy Kimmel makes his comeback, he is anticipated to confront the controversy that caused several major broadcasters to drop his kimmel/” title=”Republican Senators Slam FCC Ch… for Threatening Disney Over … Remarks | Donald Trump News”>late-night talk show.
After a nearly week-long hiatus, comedian Jimmy Kimmel is set to return to ABC on Tuesday night in the United States. His suspension followed contentious comments he made regarding the alleged shooter of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which sparked significant backlash from the Trump administration.
Upon his return, Kimmel is expected to address the recent turmoil that ignited public outrage, prompted threats of federal regulatory scrutiny, ignited debates about free speech, and led two prominent television station groups to remove Jimmy Kimmel Live! from their lineups.
When is Jimmy Kimmel returning to the air?
Jimmy Kimmel Live! will resume its usual 11:35 p.m. ET broadcast slot (03:35 GMT Wednesday) on ABC, with episodes also accessible for streaming on Hulu.
However, Sinclair Broadcast Group, which operates over 30 ABC affiliate stations, announced it will not air Kimmel’s show, opting instead for local news programming. This decision affects viewers in regions including Washington, D.C., as well as parts of California and Florida.
Similarly, Nexstar Media Group, another major ABC affiliate owner, declared it will replace Jimmy Kimmel Live! with alternative content.
Where can audiences watch the show?
In key metropolitan areas such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago-where Disney owns and manages ABC affiliates-the show will continue to air. Additionally, it remains available nationwide via abc.com and Hulu’s streaming service.
ABC can also be accessed through these platforms:
- DirecTV
- FuboSling
- Hulu + Live TV
Full episodes of Jimmy Kimmel Live! are posted the day after airing on Hulu and Disney+, while highlights, including Kimmel’s opening monologue, are uploaded to the show’s YouTube channel.
What might viewers expect from the upcoming episodes?
Kimmel is likely to address the recent events surrounding his suspension. However, the tone and specific topics he will cover remain uncertain.
What led to the controversy involving Kimmel and his show?
On September 10, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during a university event in Utah. After an extensive 33-hour manhunt, authorities apprehended 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, charging him with aggravated murder.
Prosecutors revealed that although Robinson hails from a deeply Republican family, his personal political views had shifted leftward in recent years, according to interviews with his relatives.
Prior to these details emerging, Kimmel criticized President Donald Trump and his supporters for their reaction to Kirk’s death. On his program, he accused the “MAGA crowd” of manipulating the narrative by insinuating the suspect was left-leaning. Kimmel also ridiculed Trump’s response, noting the president’s contradictory behavior-publicly calling Kirk a close friend while simultaneously appearing distracted by White House renovations-as immature.
These comments sparked a fierce backlash. On September 17, Nexstar and Sinclair broadcast groups removed Jimmy Kimmel Live! from their station schedules.
The controversy escalated when FCC Chairman Brendan Carr urged regulatory action against Kimmel, Disney, and ABC, a move many criticized as governmental overreach.
Following the suspension, some viewers began canceling their Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions, rallying under hashtags like #CancelDisney and #CancelABC to express their discontent.
Who will be featured as guests on the show?
Reports indicate that Tuesday’s episode will welcome American actor Glen Powell and Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan. The following night, actors Ethan Hawke and Lisa Ann Walter are scheduled to appear.
Thursday’s lineup includes retired NFL star Peyton Manning and actor Oscar Nunez, with musical performances by Alex G.
