what happened to the jimmy kimmel show
Jimmy Kimmel Live! is still airing regularly. The show faced a temporary suspension in September 2025 but has since returned and maintained its schedule into 2026. No signs indicate it's canceled or off-air now.
Suspension Backstory
In mid-September 2025, ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely after controversial comments Kimmel made about Charlie Kirk's assassination, sparking backlash from the FCC and President Trump. FCC Chair Brendan Carr called it just the "first shoe to drop," praising Trump's stance on late-night hosts. Kimmel later described learning of the yank mid-show, with his audience seated and guests ready.
Comeback and Current Status
Kimmel returned triumphantly on September 23, 2025, thanking supporters across the political spectrum and mocking FCC pressures in a comedic skit with "Chairman Robert De Niro". The show resumed full production, with a full guest lineup for the week of January 26-30, 2026—featuring Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, Nate Bargatze, and even Kermit the Frog. Earlier January 2026 episodes included Ben Affleck and Rachel Maddow, confirming steady airing.
Recent Highlights
Just weeks ago, Kimmel won Best Talk Show at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, using his speech to roast Trump—sarcastically thanking "Donald Jennifer Trump" for comedy fodder and defending free speech post-suspension. The viral moment reignited their feud but highlighted boosted ratings from the drama. On January 27, 2026, he addressed the deadly ICE shooting of nurse Alex Pretti, urging action with, "How does this end?".
Forum Buzz and Theories
- Reddit/Forum Chatter : Many speculate the suspension was Trump-era censorship, with users praising Kimmel's return as a free speech win; others claim it was ratings-driven, noting a post-controversy surge.
- Pro-Kimmel View : Fans see it as resilience against "FCC bullying," citing solidarity from left, right, and independents.
- Critics' Take : Some conservatives applaud the brief pull, calling Kimmel's Trump jabs "talentless," aligning with Trump's public demands to fire him.
- Trending Angle : The Critics Choice speech exploded online, mixing Hollywood backlash with political comedy debates.
Guest Lineup This Week (Jan 26-30, 2026)
Day| Guests| Musical Guest
---|---|---
Mon, Jan 26| Margot Robbie, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II| —
Tue, Jan 27| Jacob Elordi, Niecy Nash-Betts| Jason Isbell
Wed, Jan 28| Nate Bargatze, Joe Scarborough| —
Thu, Jan 29| Kaley Cuoco, Kermit the Frog| The Format
Fri, Jan 30| (TBD)| —
TL;DR : Nothing's "happened" to end the show—it's thriving post-2025 drama, with fresh episodes nightly. The suspension was short-lived political theater that only amped up Kimmel's profile.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.