Jimmy Kimmel reveals how he found out he was suspended
What's the story
Jimmy Kimmel recently revealed how he found out about the temporary suspension of his late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! The comedian shared this on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, describing it as an "emotional rollercoaster." The decision came after Kimmel made controversial comments regarding Charlie Kirk's death. "It was around 3:00. We tape our show at 4:30," he started narrating the incident.
Unexpected call
The unexpected phone call from ABC
Kimmel said he received an unexpected phone call from ABC executives, who wanted to discuss something with him. "This is unusual. As far as I knew, they didn't even know I was doing a show previous to this," he joked. The comedian took the call in the bathroom for privacy and learned that ABC wanted to suspend his show temporarily due to concerns about his comments on Kirk's assassination.
Comedian's response
'I lost the vote'
Kimmel recalled his conversation with ABC executives, who said they wanted to "take the temperature down" and were worried about what he would say on the show. "I said, 'I don't think that's a good idea.' And they said, 'Well, we think it's a good idea.' And then there was a vote and I lost the vote," Kimmel shared. He then informed his executive producers about the show's suspension.
Family response
Kimmel's family's reaction to the news
Kimmel's wife, Molly McNearney, an executive producer on the show, said he looked "whiter than Jim Gaffigan." "I thought that's it. It's over. I'm never coming back on the air," Kimmel told Colbert. The comedian also shared how his children reacted to the news of their show's suspension. His daughter offered to sell her Labubu dolls while his son hilariously ran around naked in the house.
Show's comeback
Show returned after a week
Five days after the suspension, Disney announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be back on ABC. The media giant said it suspended Kimmel "to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country," calling some of his comments "ill-timed and thus insensitive." Meanwhile, on his comeback on air, the host took repeated jabs at President Donald Trump and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.