ABC drops new episodes for the week of October 20, sending Kimmel into reruns at the worst possible time

After roaring back from a highly publicized suspension in September, Jimmy Kimmel Live! had been riding a renewed wave of popularity. Night after night, Kimmel delivered high-energy monologues, punchy interviews, and just the kind of sharp political commentary that many viewers were craving — especially with national tensions rising around the “No Kings” protests and the current government shutdown.

But just when it seemed the show had fully recaptured the spotlight, ABC pulled the brakes.

Starting Monday, October 20, 2025, Jimmy Kimmel Live! has officially entered a week-long hiatus, with no new episodes airing through Friday, October 24. In their place, reruns from earlier this fall will occupy the usual 11:35 p.m. ET time slot.

And while ABC has yet to announce programming beyond this week, the move has fans and media watchers asking: Why now?

Reruns All Week — Here’s the Lineup

According to ABC’s latest press release, the reruns airing this week include a solid lineup of previously aired episodes featuring A-listers like Ryan Reynolds, Stephen Colbert, Emily Blunt, and Tom Hanks. Here’s the breakdown:

Monday, Oct. 20:
Ryan Reynolds, Josh Johnson
Musical Guest: Public Enemy
(Originally aired September 29)

Tuesday, Oct. 21:
Stephen Colbert, Kumail Nanjiani
Musical Guest: Reneé Rapp
(Originally aired September 30)

Wednesday, Oct. 22:
Emily Blunt, Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Musical Guest: Geese
(Originally aired October 1)

Thursday, Oct. 23:
Jeremy Allen White, Bruce Springsteen
Musical Guest: Living Colour
(Originally aired October 2)

Friday, Oct. 24:
Tom Hanks, Spike Lee
(Originally aired October 3)

While those episodes were well-received at the time, viewers were looking forward to fresh takes on this week’s headline-grabbing developments — and there’s no shortage of material to cover.

The Timing Feels… Off

It’s not unusual for late-night shows to take breaks. In fact, planned hiatuses — often built into contract cycles or scheduled around production needs — are pretty standard across the board. That said, the timing of this break is undeniably awkward.

Kimmel’s post-suspension return injected fresh energy into the show. Viewers, who had rallied behind him after his controversial one-week removal from air in September, were tuning in with renewed interest. Ratings reportedly ticked upward, and his sharp commentary on current events — particularly around the fallout of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the growing “No Kings” protest movement — was setting social media alight.

So why interrupt the streak?

Insiders suggest this break was likely scheduled before Kimmel’s suspension, part of the show’s regular production calendar. ABC generally confirms Jimmy Kimmel Live!’s schedule one week at a time, which adds a layer of uncertainty — especially since there’s no word yet on whether the hiatus will extend into the week of October 27.

That said, from a public relations perspective, the timing could’ve been better.

Viewers Left Without Kimmel’s Take on Major Stories

One of the most frustrating aspects for fans is missing out on Kimmel’s real-time response to the week’s rapidly unfolding political news cycle.

Among the hot topics Kimmel watchers were expecting him to address this week:

The ongoing government shutdown, with partisan deadlock continuing to impact public services and drive national anxiety.

Former President Trump’s response to the “No Kings” rallies, which have drawn national attention and polarized opinions across the political landscape.

The viral Chicago protest video, which has put questions about protest behavior and public decency front and center.

Growing unrest on college campuses and within activist circles, with many late-night hosts serving as informal cultural commentators on such developments.

In other words, this was a huge week for Kimmel to be on air. His absence creates a noticeable gap in the late-night political conversation — especially since many fans consider Kimmel a leading voice on the intersection of politics, protest, and satire.

Momentum Interrupted, But Not Derailed

Despite the temporary break, there’s no indication that Kimmel’s momentum will stall long-term. If anything, his return could be even more highly anticipated after a week away — especially if he opens with a monologue packed full of the headlines he missed.

Historically, Kimmel has used post-hiatus returns to great effect, stacking his opening segments with razor-sharp commentary, clever call-backs, and extended rants that blend humor with catharsis.

A brief pause might simply be the calm before another round of high-profile interviews and headline-making monologues.

Still, some media strategists argue that ABC missed a chance to capitalize on the show’s current buzz. After all, this is the same show that had viewers — and even politicians — taking sides during its suspension saga just a few weeks ago.

When you have that kind of audience engagement, consistency is key.

So What Happens Now?

With reruns on the air this week, here’s what fans can expect moving forward:

Potential return next week (Oct. 27–31): ABC has yet to confirm the show’s schedule beyond October 24, but if the hiatus was only one week, new episodes should resume next Monday. Expect that announcement sometime before the weekend.

A loaded comeback episode: If the show returns next week, anticipate a jam-packed episode filled with commentary on everything Kimmel missed — plus a likely nod to the frustration fans expressed over the break.

Continued ratings surge: If viewers stay loyal — and there’s every reason to believe they will — Kimmel may return with even more viewership than before, especially if any new political drama unfolds in the days ahead.

Final Thoughts: A Pause, Not a Problem

In the world of late-night television, timing is everything. And while this weeklong rerun cycle might feel ill-timed given the national news cycle and Kimmel’s recent upswing, it’s important to remember that hiatuses are par for the course, not a sign of trouble.

Fans who are disappointed won’t have to wait long. And if there’s one thing Jimmy Kimmel has proven over the years, it’s that he knows how to make a comeback count.

So keep your DVR ready. When Kimmel returns, he’ll have plenty to say — and you can bet he’ll say it with style.