The big question many viewers are asking is: will Jimmy Kimmel be on tonight? The answer is no. ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely, and the show is not airing tonight. The decision follows the recent controversy surrounding comments Kimmel made during his late-night monologue, which set off a wave of backlash and led several affiliates to drop the show from their lineups.
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Why Jimmy Kimmel Live! Is Off the Air
In recent episodes, Jimmy Kimmel made remarks that sparked outrage and debate across social and political lines. His comments were widely criticized, prompting major affiliate groups, including those with significant reach across the country, to announce they would no longer broadcast the show.
With affiliate stations preempting it, ABC took the additional step of confirming that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be suspended “indefinitely.” That means there is no new episode scheduled for tonight, nor is there a clear timeline for when, or if, the show will return.
What “Indefinitely Suspended” Means for Tonight
When a program is suspended indefinitely, it’s effectively taken off the air until further notice. This means:
- There will be no new broadcast tonight.
- Affiliates have been instructed to air replacement programming in the show’s usual slot.
- ABC has not released a return date or even suggested a timeline for Kimmel’s comeback.
For viewers who tune in nightly, tonight marks a turning point. Instead of new comedy and interviews, audiences in many regions will see reruns or alternative late-night content.
Immediate Fallout
The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! has created ripple effects both inside and outside the network. Here’s a closer look at what’s happening:
- No new episodes airing: As of September 18, 2025, the program is not scheduled to air tonight or in the foreseeable future.
- Affiliate preemptions: Several major affiliates announced they will not carry the show, meaning the suspension is widespread.
- National attention: The issue has grown beyond late-night TV, sparking national conversations about free speech, political commentary, and the boundaries of comedy.
Impact on Fans and Viewers
For more than two decades, Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been a staple of late-night television. Many viewers tune in nightly for his mix of celebrity interviews, monologues, and comedy sketches. With the sudden suspension, fans are left wondering:
- What will replace the show in its nightly slot?
- Will the suspension be temporary, or has the show effectively ended?
- How will Jimmy Kimmel himself respond to the backlash and the network’s decision?
For tonight, though, the answer is simple: there will be no new episode.
Possible Replacements
When networks suspend programming, they often fill the time slot with other content. For now, stations may use:
- Rebroadcasts of other ABC shows.
- Local programming chosen by affiliates.
- Special presentations or syndicated reruns until ABC makes a longer-term decision.
This makes the lineup unpredictable for viewers, as different affiliates may choose different substitutes.
What This Means for Jimmy Kimmel
For Jimmy Kimmel, this suspension raises serious questions about the future of his career in late-night television. While controversies are not uncommon in comedy, the scale of this fallout is unusual.
- He faces public scrutiny over his recent comments.
- His relationship with the network and advertisers is under pressure.
- His show’s long-term survival is uncertain, with no guarantee of resuming.
Whether Kimmel makes a public statement or apology in the coming days could heavily influence ABC’s decision on the show’s fate.
The Broader Conversation
Beyond one program, this situation has touched off debates that go far beyond late-night comedy. Viewers, media analysts, and political commentators are discussing:
- Free speech vs. accountability: Should comedians be given wider leeway, or do networks have a responsibility to intervene?
- Affiliate power: With affiliates choosing to preempt the show, the incident highlights how much influence local broadcasters still have.
- Audience loyalty: Will longtime fans follow Kimmel if he moves to another platform, or has this suspension permanently damaged his standing?
These broader issues mean the story is not just about whether Jimmy Kimmel will be on tonight, but what the future of late-night television might look like.
Key Details to Know
To give viewers a clear snapshot, here’s where things stand:
- Show status: Suspended indefinitely.
- Tonight’s broadcast: No new episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! will air.
- Reason: Backlash over controversial remarks in a recent monologue.
- Replacement programming: Determined by ABC affiliates and may vary by region.
- Future: Uncertain, with no announced timeline for return.
What Viewers Can Expect in the Coming Days
Moving forward, ABC may release additional statements clarifying the status of the program. Affiliates will continue to manage the late-night slot as they see fit, which may mean some variation in what airs depending on where viewers live.
For those who have watched Jimmy Kimmel Live! consistently, tonight’s absence marks a significant change, and the uncertainty makes it a developing situation worth following closely.
Final Thoughts
So, will Jimmy Kimmel be on tonight? No, he will not. Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been suspended indefinitely by ABC, and there is no new episode airing this evening. With affiliates preempting the show and the network remaining silent on a return date, fans are left to wonder what the future holds.
Whether this marks the end of an era or a temporary pause, one thing is certain: the conversation about Jimmy Kimmel and his place in late-night television isn’t going away anytime soon.
If you’ve been following this story, share your thoughts in the comments—do you think the show will return, or is this the beginning of the end for Jimmy Kimmel Live!?