‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ Pulled After Backlash, Replaced by Celebrity Family Feud
Jimmy Kimmel is off the air — at least for a few nights.
According to Variety, ABC affiliates were informed late Wednesday that Jimmy Kimmel Live will not air through Thursday, following backlash over the host’s remarks about the MAGA movement and conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot during a public event on Sept. 10.
Instead, the 11:35 p.m. slot usually reserved for Kimmel will feature reruns of Celebrity Family Feud. A memo sent to more than 150 ABC affiliate stations explained the switch, noting that “formal guidance from Disney/ABC is forthcoming.”
The decision comes after Nexstar, one of the country’s largest station groups, announced it would preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live on its 32 ABC affiliates. Sinclair Broadcast Group quickly followed, confirming it too would pull the show.
The ABC Affiliate Board — a group that works on behalf of station owners — acknowledged the controversy in its memo and assured stations that it “remains engaged with ABC” as the situation continues.
Behind the scenes, ABC executives were in direct conversation with Kimmel and his representatives Wednesday night as reactions poured in across social media and political circles. While some viewers praised Kimmel for speaking his mind, others blasted the host, calling for his removal.
As of now, ABC has not made a final decision about the show’s future. Whether Jimmy Kimmel Live returns next week or faces a longer hiatus remains uncertain.
The shake-up adds fresh drama to late-night TV, where Kimmel has been a mainstay since 2003. For fans, the big question is whether this is just a brief pause or the beginning of a bigger change.