ABC’s sudden decision to remove Jimmy Kimmel’s program from the air came hours after Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr said on a podcast that the FCC could revoke ABC’s membership licenses as a way to force Disney, ABC’s parent company, to punish Kimmel for recent comments he made about the reaction to Charlie Kirk’s shooting death.
According to a source with knowledge of the facts, Kimmel’s staff had been working normally on Wednesday afternoon, holding talks with talented publicists about the upcoming episodes just before the decision was announced.
Numerous Hollywood media audiences, producers, and executives who spoke to CNN on Wednesday night expressed their astonishment at the suspension.
“We’re all in shock,” a celebrity publicist told CNN.
“I can’t believe this is real life,” said a studio publicist.
“For those who pray, now is the time to do it,” said Wanda Sykes, who was to be invited to the show that night.
ABC staff were also shocked by the decision. Kimmel’s ties to the chain are deep. His program has been on the air for more than two decades, and his wife, Molly McNearney, is the lead screenwriter and executive producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live.
A source familiar with the situation, which is evolving rapidly, told CNN that Jimmy Kimmel Live. It has not been cancelled, but it was added that there is no deadline for the return of the program.
Outside the theater in Hollywood, some viewers had been waiting in line for more than an hour when they were informed the footage had been cancelled.
A couple who traveled from Virginia to Los Angeles on vacation to attend Kimmel’s recording described ABC’s decision as “ridiculous.”
What about freedom of expression? Why was his show cancelled because Jimmy Kimmel expressed his opinion? Gina Blackwell told CNN.
Wake up, America. “We’re getting stuck in the stupidity,” Michael Blackwell said.
Several entertainment industry figures who spoke to CNN questioned whether the show would air again, citing the current political climate and noting that Kimmel has long been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump.
Good news for the United States: Jimmy Kimmel’s program, which has had hearing problems, has been cancelled. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what was to be done,” Trump wrote in his Social Truth on Wednesday night. Kimmel doesn’t have a talented eye and has worse ratings than even Colbert, if any. That leaves Jimmy [Fallon] and Seth [Meyers], two complete losers, on Fake News NBC. His ratings are lousy, too. Let them do it, NBC.
An ABC spokesman did not respond to CNN’s request for comment on whether Kimmel and his program team will continue to receive their salary during the suspension.
Given the presenter’s relationship with Trump, it seems unlikely he will want to filter his comments or comedy if he returns to the air. Kimmel’s current contract expires in May. He debated whether to renew it in 2022, publicly declaring that he had considered ending his late-night show.
“After two decades on ABC, I am now looking forward to three years of what they call a silent resignation,” he joked in a statement when the extension of his contract was announced.
A representative for Kimmel did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.
With information from CNN’s Matt Friedman.
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