Disney’s ABC confirmed on Wednesday, September 17, that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be placed on indefinite hiatus, sparking reactions across Hollywood from actors, comedians, and other entertainment figures.

The decision comes in the wake of controversial comments Kimmel made regarding the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Kirk, 31, was killed while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10. During a broadcast of his show on September 15, Kimmel addressed supporters of former President Donald Trump, stating: “The MAGA Gang (is) desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it. In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”

Nexstar Media, the largest local broadcast and digital media company in the United States, criticized Kimmel’s remarks. The company, which owns more than 200 television stations across 116 markets, stated that it “strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.”

The move comes amid Nexstar’s pending $6.2 billion acquisition of rival broadcast company Tegna, a deal that would consolidate its reach to 80% of U.S. households with television, pending approval from the Federal Communications Commission, currently led by Trump appointee Brendan Carr. Carr praised Nexstar’s stance on social media platform X, writing that “it is important for broadcasters to push back on Disney programming that they determine falls short of community values.”

The network’s decision has ignited a wave of responses from the entertainment industry. Comedian Wanda Sykes, scheduled to appear on Kimmel’s show Wednesday night, posted a video on Instagram expressing her disapproval. “Let’s see. He didn’t end the Ukraine war or solve Gaza within his first week. But he did end freedom of speech within his first year,” Sykes said. “Hey, for those of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy.”

Other Hollywood figures echoed similar sentiments, criticizing ABC for what they described as a punitive response to political commentary. The reactions underscore growing tensions in the intersection of late-night television, political discourse, and corporate decision-making within major media networks.

Kimmel, who has hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003, has been no stranger to controversy, frequently drawing attention for his pointed monologues about political figures and current events. With the show now on hiatus, the future of his program—and its place within ABC’s late-night lineup—remains uncertain.

Hollywood and Media Figures Condemn ABC’s Decision to Pull ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’

Following Disney ABC’s announcement that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be placed on indefinite hiatus, numerous comedians, media personalities, and public figures voiced outrage over the network’s decision, framing it as an attack on free speech.

Comedian Mike Birbiglia weighed in on Instagram, writing, “I’ve spent a lot of time in public + private defending comedians I don’t agree with. If you’re a comedian + don’t call out the insanity of pulling Kimmel off the air — don’t bother spouting fof about free speech anymore.”

Roseanne Barr chimed in on X, tweeting, “I’m available to fill in @ABCNetwork,” while Rosie O’Donnell shared a photo of Kimmel on Instagram, adding, “This is unacceptable — f— this fascist administration and corrupt corporate executives — bowing to the orange monster — America is no more .”

Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly also commented on X, noting the likely influence of public pressure: “Just think for a minute about the amount of IRATE mail/viewer feedback they must have gotten to do this.”

Meanwhile, MSNBC host Chris Hayes tweeted, “This is the most straightforward attack on free speech from state actors I’ve ever seen in my life and it’s not even close.”

These reactions reflect widespread concern within the entertainment and media communities over the precedent set by pulling a long-running late-night show off the air amid political controversy, sparking debates about corporate influence, censorship, and the limits of political satire.

Following the announcement that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be placed on indefinite hiatus, additional voices from Hollywood and public life spoke out, framing the move as a threat to free speech.

Ben Stiller weighed in on X, writing simply, “This isn’t right.” Actress Sophia Bush echoed the sentiment, stating on X, “The First Amendment doesn’t exist in America anymore. Period. Fascism is here and it’s chilling.” Comedian Alex Edelman added, “This is the actual cancel culture everyone claims to hate so much,” also on X.

Political figures joined the chorus. Democratic Senator Cory Booker shared a photo of the text of the First Amendment on Instagram, highlighting constitutional protections for speech, while comedian Michael Kosta posted the same text on his Instagram Stories.

These reactions underscore the broader cultural and political debate sparked by ABC’s decision, with many observers interpreting the network’s move as a direct challenge to the principles of free expression in entertainment and media.

Political Figures and Comedians Join Outcry Over ABC’s Suspension of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’

The backlash to ABC’s decision to place Jimmy Kimmel Live! on indefinite hiatus continued as political figures and comedians weighed in, framing the move as an attack on free speech and selective outrage in media coverage.

Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett took to X to voice her concerns, writing, “Kimmel hurts MAGA’s feelings by holding a mirror up & so the First Amendment is out the window and his show is pulled… who is going to tell them that, that is the definition of being a snowflake… as well as supporting anti-democratic ideals? (Not patriotic at all).”

Crockett’s post further criticized perceived inconsistencies in media and public reactions, noting, “Now is anyone going to talk about the fact that Faux News had an anchor say that mentally ill homeless people should be given ‘involuntary lethal injection,’ and days later an unhoused man is strung up in a tree in Mississippi & an entire homeless encampment was targeted where 2 individuals were shot in the head & 5 others were injured in Minnesota… NO OUTRAGE, let alone coverage, because you only value certain lives & certain speech. I’m waiting on y’all soft asses to cancel rainbows.”

Comedian Kathy Griffin also issued a statement on Instagram, urging public support for Kimmel: “Please, take it from me, it is very important to have Jimmy Kimmel’s back right now. Be vocal. Be an ideological consumer. Money is all their crown cares about.”

These statements add to a growing chorus of entertainers, politicians, and media figures decrying ABC’s decision, highlighting broader debates over censorship, free expression, and ideological influence within the entertainment industry.

Jean Smart, Don Lemon, and Henry Winkler React to ABC’s Suspension of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’

Actress Jean Smart expressed her outrage on Instagram, sharing a photo of herself with Jimmy Kimmel and writing, “I am horrified at the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live. What Jimmy said was FREE speech, not hate speech. People seem to only want to protect free speech when it suits THEIR agenda. Though I didn’t agree at ALL with Charlie Kirk; his shooting death sickened me; and should have sickened any decent human being. What is happening to our country?”

CNN anchor Don Lemon voiced his concern on Threads, stating, “The Jimmy Kimmel Live! show has been preempted indefinitely over a joke. This should send a chill down everyone’s spine in America!”

Actor Henry Winkler added his support on X, tweeting, “@jimmykimmel his humor, his insights are important to keep showing us who we are. AND he is a most wonderful fellow.”

These statements reflect the growing chorus of public figures criticizing ABC’s decision and defending Kimmel’s right to free expression.

John Legend, Jon Cryer, and Christie Brinkley Voice Support for Jimmy Kimmel Amid ABC Suspension

Musician John Legend shared a screengrab on his Instagram Stories of a post by political commentator David Frum, which read: “How dare you call us fascists just because our appointees threaten government retaliation against broadcast networks if their comedians don’t say what we want them to say.”

Actor Jon Cryer weighed in on Bluesky, writing, “Very much looking forward to Elon Musk’s spirited defense of Jimmy Kimmel’s free speech.”

Supermodel Christie Brinkley also shared her thoughts on Instagram Stories, posting a photo of several late-night hosts and writing: “Love these guys! The laughter they provide us is as important as the air we breathe! And they are taking another one of them off the air tonight! WE MUST PROTECT their and OUR 1st Amendment RIGHTS!!!!”

These reactions add to the growing wave of celebrities and public figures defending Kimmel, highlighting concerns over free speech and the role of corporate and political pressures in broadcast media.

Geraldo Rivera, Josh Gad, Gavin Newsom, Alison Brie, and Halsey Respond to ABC’s Suspension of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’

The conversation around ABC’s decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! has extended beyond Hollywood, drawing commentary from media personalities, actors, musicians, and political leaders.

Geraldo Rivera wrote on X, acknowledging the complexity of the issue: “Regarding Jimmy Kimmel, censorship sucks, but so does inflaming hatred. America’s in a tight spot right now. We don’t have to agree, but we have to respect each other.”

Actor Josh Gad weighed in on Threads, warning of broader societal implications: “I see we are at the passive participation of authoritarianism now. God help us all.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom added a political perspective on X, stating, “Buying and controlling media platforms. Firing commentators. Canceling shows. These aren’t coincidences. It’s coordinated. And it’s dangerous. The @GOP does not believe in free speech. They are censoring you in real time.”

Actress Alison Brie shared a screenshot of a news alert on her Instagram Stories, commenting, “This is unreal. And very scary.” Musician Halsey posted a screengrab from a news announcement on Instagram Stories, writing, “We’re in the ‘tell on your friends and neighbors,’ ‘extreme censorship,’ ‘indistinguishable propaganda’ part of the fascism, in case it wasn’t clear.”

These reactions underscore the widespread concern over free expression, corporate influence, and political pressures in media, highlighting the national debate ignited by ABC’s decision.