Less than 24 hours after ABC, Disney, and broadcast affiliate Nexstar pulled late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel “from all of their stations”, network executives have already named a surprise replacement.
On Wednesday, Kimmel, a vocal liberal, was suspended indefinitely from his regular Jimmy Kimmel Live! time slot after he suggested the assassin of conservative activist Charlie Kirk may be affiliated with MAGA.
Nexstar said Kimmel’s comments were “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse,” adding it would like to “move toward the resumption of respectful, constructive dialogue.”
The move prompted further action from ABC, which included an indefinite suspension from the air.
Shortly after ABC announced the suspension, Sinclair Inc. Vice Chairman Jason Smith released a statement slamming Kimmel’s comments as “inappropriate and deeply insensitive.”
“Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,” said Vice Chairman Jason Smith.
“We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities. We appreciate FCC Chairman Carr’s remarks today, and this incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks.”
Instead of finding a replacement host, execs did something nobody saw coming.
Sinclair announced that ABC stations will “air a special in remembrance of Charlie Kirk this Friday, during the Jimmy Kimmel Live! time slot.”
Sinclair Says Kimmel Suspension is Not Enough, Calls on FCC and ABC to Take Additional Action
Sinclair’s ABC stations to Air Special in Remembrance of Charlie Kirk During Jimmy Kimmel Live! Friday Timeslot
Sinclair, the nation’s largest ABC affiliate group, objects to recent…
— Sinclair, Inc. (@WeAreSinclair) September 18, 2025
Sinclair also called on ABC to demonstrate commitment to “professionalism and accountability” while calling upon Kimmel to issue a “direct apology to the Kirk family.”
“Furthermore, Sinclair asks Mr. Kimmel to make a meaningful personal donation to the Kirk Family and Turning Point USA,” the statement said.
“Regardless of ABC’s plans for the future of the program, Sinclair intends not to return Jimmy Kimmel Live! to our air until we are confident that appropriate steps have been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform.”
Kimmel, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump and conservative Americans, recently confirmed he obtained his Italian citizenship in preparation to flee the country to escape Trump.
Kimmel shared the news while a guest on fellow comedian Sarah Silverman’s podcast last month during a discussion on the state of the country in Trump’s second term.
“A lot of people I know are thinking about where are they going to get citizenship?” Silverman said.
“I did get Italian citizenship,” Kimmel replied.
You do? Oh, that’s amazing,” Silverman reacted.
“I do have that. And what’s going on is—as bad as you thought it was going to be — it’s so much worse. It’s just unbelievable,” Kimmel said.
Kimmel campaigned for Democrats in the 2024 election and has been a staunch critic of Trump over the years.
Kimmel has been teasing a move to Italy for weeks now.
Kimmel shared he had obtained his Italian citizenship at an event at the Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles in June, according to Italian news agency Ansa.
As for the on-going status of his late night talk show?
No permanent replacement has been named yet, or whether Kimmel will be back.
This is an on-going story. Check back for further developments.