Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, will return to ABC on Tuesday, nearly a week after being temporarily suspended following criticism of his comments on the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
However, not all US viewers will be able to watch the show. Sinclair Broadcast Group, which operates more than 35 ABC affiliates, announced it will replace Kimmel’s show with news while talks with ABC continue.
Disney, owner of ABC, said it suspended production last Wednesday to avoid escalating tensions during a sensitive time, describing Kimmel’s comments as “ill-timed and insensitive.” After conversations with the host, they confirmed the show will return Tuesday.
Kimmel had criticized some Republicans for politically exploiting Kirk’s death while offering condolences to his family. Authorities later indicated that the suspect “leaned more to the left” and had attacked Kirk for his political remarks.
The suspension followed threats from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who called Kimmel’s comments “the sickest behavior possible.” He later clarified that the FCC does not need to intervene in disputes between local stations and national networks.
Other companies with ABC affiliates, such as Nexstar and Sinclair, also suspended Kimmel’s show. As of Monday, it was unclear whether Nexstar stations would carry the show when it returns.
Turning Point USA, Kirk’s organization, criticized Disney and ABC’s decision to reinstate Kimmel, while celebrities, unions, and political figures considered the suspension a threat to free speech. More than 400 public figures, including Jennifer Aniston, Robert De Niro, Tom Hanks, and Meryl Streep, signed an open letter from the ACLU that called the decision “a dark moment for free speech in our nation.”
On the other hand, some conservatives celebrated ABC’s initial suspension. President Donald Trump claimed the suspension was due to “poor ratings,” and Vice President JD Vance joked about appointing a new host for the late-night show. However, some Republican lawmakers, such as Senator Rand Paul, criticized Carr’s intervention, calling it inappropriate.
Carr emphasized that Disney made the decision independently and denied any government pressure on the network.
