Jimmy Kimmel Live! Suspended: Hollywood Reacts Urgently
UPDATE: ABC has officially suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely following controversial remarks made by Kimmel regarding Charlie Kirk. The network confirmed the preemption today, September 17, 2025, stating the late-night program will be on hold “for the foreseeable future.” This swift action has ignited a firestorm of reactions from Hollywood and beyond.
The decision comes after Nexstar, which operates 32 ABC affiliates, announced it would replace the show due to “strong objections” over Kimmel’s comments related to a shooting incident at Utah Valley University.
The implications are significant. Former President Donald Trump celebrated the suspension on Truth Social, calling it “great news for America,” and urged NBC to follow suit with Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers. Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the network’s move on X (formerly Twitter), declaring it part of a dangerous trend of media control and censorship.
“Buying and controlling media platforms. Firing commentators. Canceling shows. These aren’t coincidences. It’s coordinated. And it’s dangerous,”
Newsom tweeted, adding that the GOP does not believe in free speech.
Comedian Alex Edelman echoed these sentiments, labeling the suspension as “the actual cancel culture everyone claims to hate so much.” His tweet has garnered significant attention, highlighting the growing divide on the issue of free speech in entertainment.
Other notable reactions include comedian Wanda Sykes, who expressed her frustration with the abrupt cancellation in an Instagram Reel, stating she was set to appear on the show. Actress Jean Smart voiced her horror at the decision, defending Kimmel’s remarks as a matter of free speech.
Actor Ben Stiller also weighed in, posting, “This isn’t right,” while Michael Keaton called for networks to “stand up” against what he sees as a troubling precedent for censorship in the industry.
Critically, journalist Chris Hayes labeled the decision as “the most straightforward attack on free speech from state actors I’ve ever seen in my life.” In a video segment, Don Lemon stated he found nothing controversial in Kimmel’s comments, emphasizing the dangers of such censorship for democracy.
Many are now questioning what comes next. The Writers Guild of America released a statement emphasizing the importance of free speech, declaring solidarity with Kimmel and his team. As this situation develops, the entertainment community is poised to rally in defense of Kimmel’s right to express his views.
With reactions pouring in from across the spectrum, the urgency of the situation is palpable. Hollywood’s response to this suspension could send ripples through the industry, impacting how creators approach controversial subjects in the future.
Stay tuned as we continue to monitor the fallout from this urgent development. The conversation around free speech and media censorship is more critical than ever.
