Nobody likes a cliffhanger — but what’s happening behind the scenes at Jimmy Kimmel Live! may be one of the biggest in late night TV. As of September 17, 2025, ABC has placed the show on an indefinite hiatus, and one staffer tells People that there has been no communication from the network about whether it will ever return. The uncertainty is breathtaking — and the stakes are high.

Here’s the full scoop on how things got here, what insiders are saying, and why late night fans, ABC employees, and media watchers alike are on edge.

How This All Started

The trouble began with comments made by Jimmy Kimmel in a monologue about the recent death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, who was killed during a university event. In that segment, Kimmel criticized what he saw as efforts by conservative groups to distance themselves from the accused shooter — and accused some of exploiting the situation for political gain.

The reaction from some ABC affiliates was swift. Broadcasters such as Sinclair and Nexstar pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from their stations, calling Kimmel’s remarks insensitive or offensive, particularly given the recent tragedy. Soon after, ABC/Disney made the decision to suspend the show indefinitely.

What the Staff Is Saying — and What They Don’t Know

One staffer — who asked not to be named — spoke recently to People about the atmosphere among those who work on the show. Here’s what we know:

As of now, there has been no clear statement from ABC to staff about the future of the show. The word is: “We don’t know anything.”
The show was abruptly removed just before a scheduled taping, after hours of preparation. Production crews, writers, technical teams — everyone was ready, then told to stand down.
The staff is in limbo: people are on standby, uncertain if they should expect a return, or if the show is quietly ending. One staffer was quoted saying, “I’m not ready to admit that it’s over.”

Clearly, the network’s silence is magnifying the tension and leaving many feeling pushed into guessing games.

The Network’s Side & External Pressure

ABC’s decision didn’t happen in a vacuum. Here’s what external reports suggest:

Executives at Disney, including CEO Bob Iger, are said to have made the decision to pull the show in response to pressure — both political and from its affiliate stations. Nexstar and Sinclair demanded action.
Before the announcement, there was reportedly a call between Kimmel and one or more Disney/ABC executives. That conversation was described as “businesslike and polite,” though no public outcome was clear at the time.
One factor in the delay or suspension is the threat from major affiliates who threatened to preempt ABC in markets they control.

So it’s not just about Kimmel. It’s about affiliate stations, network risk, corporate image, and perhaps regulatory pressure. It’s the kind of storm that puts everything on pause.

What Happens From Here? Possible Scenarios

Here are some potential roads ahead — no one knows exactly which one will happen, but people are discussing them:

Return under conditions
The show comes back, perhaps after an apology (to certain parties) or some changes in how monologues or segments are vetted. There are reports that Sinclair wants a direct apology and a donation to the family / organization connected to Charlie Kirk.
Permanent cancellation
ABC may decide the backlash and potential risk are too great, and quietly retire Jimmy Kimmel Live! — possibly replacing it with different late-night programming. The staffer said they can’t “imagine a scenario” in which the show simply returns as if nothing happened.
Rebrand or shift
Another possibility is that Kimmel’s show returns in a modified form — maybe shifted to streaming, or with altered distribution through affiliates that were pulling it. But this kind of reconfiguration would require negotiation and clear terms.
Ongoing legal / regulatory entanglements
Because the FCC Chair has publicly criticized ABC over the incident and said broadcasters must meet certain standards (“public interest” obligations), there could be regulatory scrutiny or even legal risk for ABC depending on how things evolve.

The Impact: More than a Late-Night Show

This situation is about more than jokes, hosts, and ratings. What’s at issue touches deeper concerns in media and society:

Free speech vs. accountability: What’s permissible for public figures — especially in entertainment — when political tension is high? What are the consequences of speaking out?
Corporate influence: How much pressure affiliate networks, advertisers, or regional broadcasters have in shaping national programming.
Public trust and transparency: When big networks don’t explain decisions, it erodes trust with employees and with viewers.
The role of late-night in political culture: These shows have always walked a line between comedy, commentary, and critique. But with political polarization so intense, statements that might’ve been controversial before are now triggering official actions and affiliate pullouts.

Final Thoughts

One staffer’s words captured the mood in the Jimmy Kimmel Live! offices: “We don’t know anything… we’re just hoping that we’re going to hear something soon and hopefully it’s good.” That hope is fragile when the future is officially “on hold.”

At a moment when many are shouting for stances and opinions, the silence from ABC, from the show’s leadership, from the host himself — that silence speaks volumes. It begs hard questions: What is late-night’s role in calling out what’s wrong? When is satire taken as offense? When does breathing room for artistic commentary end — and broadcast consequences begin?

For now, Jimmy Kimmel Live! remains in the air’s waiting room. Staffers are on pause. Viewers are watching. And the industry is holding its breath, too.

Because the conclusion to this story isn’t clear — and what it means for late-night, free speech, and media accountability is very much still being written.