Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel‘s popular late night series has been pulled off the air “indefinitely” and its leading star suspended after he made several controversial comments about the death of Charlie Kirk.
The 57-year-old has been hosting the Los Angeles-based show since 2003 and has garnered over a million viewers per episode since he stepped out on the stage—making “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” the second-most watched late-night show.
Kimmel’s success propelled him to a prestigious position in Hollywood and led to him being named as the host of several illustrious awards shows, including the Emmys and the Oscars.
However, Kimmel’s career came to a sudden halt on Sept. 17, when ABC announced that it would be taking his show off the air—a move that was celebrated by President Donald Trump, but condemned by several Hollywood stars.
The decision to suspend the host came after Kimmel made multiple references to conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Kirk—who was fatally shot while attending an event at Utah Valley University—and his alleged killer, Tyler Robinson.
During his Sept. 15 episode, Kimmel told viewers: “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.
“In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”
On Tuesday, Sept. 16, he mentioned Kirk again, this time taking aim at the right, saying: “Many in MAGA-land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk.”
Following Kimmel’s remarks, Brendan Carr, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, fiercely criticized the comedian, while issuing a warning to ABC’s parent company, Disney.
“This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney. We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” he said.
“Disney needs to see some change here, but the individual licensed stations that are taking their content, it’s time for them to step up and say this, you know, garbage to the extent that that’s what comes down the pipe in the future isn’t something that we think serves the needs of our local communities.
“There’s calls for Kimmel to be fired. I think you could certainly see a path forward for suspension over this,” he said.
Minutes after Carr made those comments, Nexstar Media Group Inc. revealed that it would stop airing the show on its 32 ABC affiliates.
“Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse,” Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, said.
Shortly after Nexstar shared its decision, ABC, which has FCC-approved licenses for the local broadcast affiliates it owns, issued their own statement about the comedian.
A spokesperson for the Disney-owned network simply said of the decision: “‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ will be pre-empted indefinitely.”
President Trump praised the decision in a post shared on his social media site, Truth Social, where he wrote: “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
“Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even [Stephen] Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!”
Following his remarks, Anna Gomez, an FCC commissioner nominated by former President Joe Biden, slammed the decision, saying in a statement, “An inexcusable act of political violence by one disturbed individual must never be exploited as justification for broader censorship and control.
“This Administration is increasingly using the weight of government power to suppress lawful expression.
“Free expression is non-negotiable. It marks the line between freedom and oppression. We must defend it without compromise.”
Sources with knowledge of the situation told CNN, that the news of the suspension came as a complete shock to many involved in the show—particularly as it was revealed only after guests who were due to attend the taping of Wednesday’s episode were already on their way to the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, where “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is recorded.
Kimmel—whose wife, Molly McNearney, is the head writer and executive producer on the show—has yet to comment on the suspension. Realtor.com® has reached out to the host.
At present, it is unclear when—or if—Kimmel’s show will return, with major media company Sinclair, Inc. announcing that it will replace the host’s late-night show with a Charlie Kirk tribute program on Sept. 19.
It’s thought that Kimmel, who has not been seen since the news of his suspension broke, is trying to figure out his next move, while hunkering down at his Hermosa Beach, CA, property, which he and his wife had custom-built for their family.
The dwelling is actually spread across two parcels of land that were snapped up by Kimmel for $8 million in 2017—providing him with about half an acre on which to build his dream mansion.
Images taken of the property in 2023 revealed that it was nearing completion—offering stunning views out over the ocean, as well as a large rectangular pool in the backyard.
The home also boasts a large swimming pool and measures across two stories.
When he purchased the property, it had four bedrooms and two bathrooms; however, it seems as though he has since added to that thanks to his custom-built dwelling, which stretches across two homes.
Kimmel previously owned a home in Hollywood Hills, however, offloaded it in 2014.
Additionally, the late-night host is said to own another property near the storied Chateau Marmont hotel, which he reportedly purchased for $1.1 million in 2010.
However, that same year, Kimmel put the dwelling into a trust, and it was later reported that he had given use of the home to his sister-in-law, Kelly McNearney.
