ABC Reinstates Jimmy Kimmel; Questions Remain

Disney-owned ABC announced Monday it will reinstate Jimmy Kimmel Live!, returning the show on Tuesday after suspending production over Kimmel’s Sept. 15 monologue about the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. ABC said it paused the program "to avoid further inflaming a tense situation" and called some comments "ill-timed and thus insensitive," saying "thoughtful conversations" with Kimmel led to the decision to resume. Kimmel’s monologue suggested the alleged shooter was linked to "MAGA" and included jibes at President Trump, prompting swift backlash and leading major affiliates including Nexstar and Sinclair to pull the program. Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr warned he could pursue license revocations under the agency’s news-distortion policy, amplifying pressure, while hundreds of entertainers and free-speech advocates condemned ABC’s initial suspension. Some affiliates — notably Sinclair and Nexstar — have said they may continue not to air the reinstated episodes pending further discussions, so it remains unclear whether all ABC stations will carry the show.