Jimmy Kimmel Staffers ‘Know Too Much,’ Insider Warns As Drama Looms Ahead: ‘It’s Very Emotional’

The drama between Jimmy Kimmel and ABC may be far from over. 

Kimmel’s cousin recently opened up about the situation and revealed that there is still a lot of tension with the network, and more “bombshells” may follow. 

After being suspended for making controversial remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Kimmel’s show will return to the airwaves on Tuesday, September 23. 

Cousin Sal Speaks On The Drama Surrounding ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Show

Jimmy Kimmel’s cousin, Sal Lacono, was featured on the most recent episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast.” During the discussion, Lacono, also known as Cousin Sal, hinted at more drama to come for his cousin’s show. 

“I wish I could say anything. There are a couple of bombshells still there,” Cousin Sal said. “I can’t really say anything. You and I know too much. It’s very emotional.”

Cousin Sal, who is also a comedian and writer for “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, remained tight-lipped at the situation, but added that even the show’s staffers “know too much,” but can’t really speak about it. 

“Not only our cousin, but all the people working for the show, and it’s better if we’re not talking about this in any way,” the comedian said, per Page Six.

Cousin Sal also noted that, despite the drama, the show’s staffers will be “just fine.” As for his cousin, he said that Kimmel is also going to be okay regardless of whatever he chooses to do next in his career. 

He jokingly added that even if Kimmel decided to become a pop-up chef, he would do a great job “making barbecue around the South Bay area.”

ABC Lifts Jimmy Kimmel Suspension Following Controversial Charlie Kirk Remarks

Cousin Sal’s remark came before Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension by ABC ended, following an announcement made by the network. 

The statement noted that the network decided to suspend production on the show to avoid further fueling the tense situation surrounding Charlie Kirk’s murder. 

“It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive. We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday,” the statement read, per The Blast.

The Jimmy Kimmel Monologue That Sparked The Drama

The drama surrounding the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” dates back to September 16. During his monologue, the American TV host took a dig at the “MAGA gang” for trying to disassociate themselves from being linked to Kirk’s murderer.  

Kimmel also took a dig at President Donald Trump, implying that the manner in which the President grieved Kirk was not genuine. 

The comedian joked that Trump was at the “fourth stage of grief,” and acted like a “four-year-old” who was mourning a “goldfish.” 

Insider Claims Jimmy Kimmel’s Future At ABC Was Already In Jeopardy Before Charlie Kirk Scandal

Kimmel’s monologue led to his show being “pre-empted indefinitely.” Although it came as a shock to the public, insiders claim the comedian’s career was already hanging by a thread. 

According to The Blast, sources reported that the network had already thinking about cutting ties with the 57-year-old TV host after the conclusion of the current season.

They cited Kimmel’s consistently brazen political remarks as reasons to terminate his contract with the network, as they often led to rifts with the president, which the network is trying to avoid. 

Meanwhile, another Hollywood source revealed that even if Kimmel was thinking about retirement, the controversy may lead to a change of mind. The source said that the comedian may not want to leave just yet, “just so he can piss Trump off!” 

Ex-ABC News Veteran Suggests Jimmy Kimmel’s Show Was Booted Due To ‘Corporate Self-Censorship’ 

Kimmel’s suspension was met with a lot of widespread criticism from fans and high-profile figures who believe the act was a war against free speech. 

Speaking on the situation, former political director for ABC News, Mark Halperin, said that the suspension was not simply a “First Amendment courtroom battle,” but “about regulatory intimidation and corporate self-censorship,” per The Blast.

“Companies are not punishing themselves before the government even acts,” he added. 

The ex-ABC News veteran further stated that companies no longer “wait for the hammer” if they believe a regulator would cause more harm to their licenses, mergers, consent decrees, and the like.