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\n As news was breaking of Jimmy Kimmel\u2019s late-night show being suspended, guests booked on Wednesday\u2019s episode were already on their way to the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood where \u201cJimmy Kimmel Live!\u201d is recorded, sources told celebrity.land.\n <\/p>\n
\n The sudden decision made by ABC to pull the show from air came hours after Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr said on a podcast that the FCC could move to revoke ABC affiliate licenses as a way to force Disney, ABC\u2019s parent company, to punish Kimmel for recent comments he made about reaction to Charlie Kirk\u2019s shooting death.\n <\/p>\n
\n According to a source with knowledge of the events, Kimmel\u2019s staff members had been working as usual on Wednesday afternoon, holding calls with talent publicists regarding upcoming episodes just before the decision was announced.\n <\/p>\n
\n Numerous Hollywood publicists, producers, media executives who spoke with celebrity.land on Wednesday evening expressed their astonishment over the suspension.\n <\/p>\n
\n \u201cWe are all shell-shocked,\u201d one celebrity publicist told celebrity.land.\n <\/p>\n
\n \u201cI cannot believe this is real life,\u201d a studio publicist said.\n <\/p>\n
\n Staffers inside ABC were also stunned by the move.\n <\/p>\n
\n Kimmel\u2019s ties to the network run deep. His show has been on for more than two decades, and Kimmel\u2019s wife, Molly McNearney, is the head writer and executive producer of \u201cJimmy Kimmel Live!\u201d\n <\/p>\n
\n A source familiar with the fluid and fast-moving situation told celebrity.land that \u201cJimmy Kimmel Live!\u201d has not been cancelled, but added there is no timeline as to when the show may return.\n <\/p>\n
\n Outside the theater in Hollywood, some audience members had been waiting in line for over an hour when they were told the taping had been cancelled.\n <\/p>\n
\n A couple who had traveled from Virginia to Los Angeles on vacation to attend Kimmel\u2019s taping, called ABC\u2019s decision \u201cridiculous.\u201d\n <\/p>\n
\n \u201cWhat about freedom of speech? Why would his show be canceled for Jimmy Kimmel expressing his opinion?\u201d Gina Blackwell told celebrity.land.\n <\/p>\n
\n \u201cWake up America. We\u2019re getting stuck on stupid,\u201d Michael Blackwell said.\n <\/p>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n A number of entertainment industry figures who spoke with celebrity.land questioned whether the show would ever return to air, citing the current political climate and noting Kimmel has long been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump.\n <\/p>\n
\n \u201cGreat 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,\u201d Trump wrote on his Truth Social on Wednesday night. \u201cKimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that\u2019s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!\u201d\n <\/p>\n
\n A spokesperson for ABC did not respond to celebrity.land\u2019s request for comment regarding whether Kimmell and his show team will continue to be paid during the suspension.\n <\/p>\n
\n Given the host\u2019s history with Trump, it seems implausible he would want to filter his commentary or comedy if or when he returns to air. Kimmel current contract expires in May. He debated whether to renew it in 2022, publicly stating that he had considered bringing his late-night show to an end.\n <\/p>\n
\n \u201cAfter two decades at ABC, I am now looking forward to three years of what they call \u2018quiet quitting,\u2019\u201d he joked in a statement at the time his contract extension was announced.\n <\/p>\n
\n A representative for Kimmel has not responded to celebrity.land\u2019s request for comment.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n