Jimmy Kimmel Yanked From Abc Over Charlie Kirk Remarks: Hollywood Reacts With Socal Heat

Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC Exit Sparks Firestorm in LA

Hold onto your avocado toast, LA - the entertainment world is shook! ABC has indefinitely yanked Jimmy Kimmel Live! from the airwaves following some spicy comments by the host about the tragic death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. News dropped on Wednesday, September 17, and the Hollywood Hills are practically vibrating with opinions.

An ABC spokesperson confirmed to Us Weekly that the show is on an indefinite hiatus, leaving fans and celebs alike wondering what’s next for the late-night staple. With the red carpet crowd already buzzing, this scandal has all the makings of a SoCal summer blockbuster - drama, outrage, and a whole lotta shade.

This all kicked off after Kimmel’s monologue on Monday, September 15, where he addressed the murder of Kirk, the Turning Point USA co-founder who was fatally shot at a speaking event on a Utah college campus at just 31. Kimmel didn’t hold back, and now the fallout is hitting harder than a Santa Ana wind.

What Went Down: Kimmel’s Controversial Monologue

Let’s rewind to that Monday night episode on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! set in the heart of Hollywood. Kimmel, 57, took aim at the narrative surrounding Kirk’s accused killer, Tyler Robinson, with some biting words that got everyone’s attention. “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to paint this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything but one of their own,” he said, stirring up a storm faster than a rush hour on the 405.

Before this mess, Kimmel had already spoken out against gun violence, posting on Instagram earlier this month with a heartfelt plea. He called for unity over blame, writing about the horror of such senseless acts and sending love to Kirk’s family. But that goodwill didn’t shield him from the backlash once his monologue hit the airwaves.

“I just can’t believe we’re at a point where a comedian’s words can get a show pulled in a heartbeat - this isn’t the LA I know,” said a prominent Hollywood insider, reflecting the shock rippling through the industry.

Industry Giants Weigh In: Nexstar’s Stance

The plot thickens with Nexstar Media, one of the biggest TV station owners in the game, stepping in with a statement to Variety on Wednesday. They’re preempting Kimmel’s show, claiming they “strongly” oppose his remarks about Kirk. That’s a big move from a heavyweight, and it’s got folks in Burbank and beyond raising eyebrows.

This isn’t just a local spat - it’s a full-on clash of values playing out on a national stage. With Nexstar throwing their weight around, the question is whether other networks or stations will follow suit or if Kimmel’s team can weather this Malibu-style drama.

Hollywood Stars React: Support and Slam in Equal Measure

Team Kimmel: Outrage Over Free Speech

Down on Sunset Boulevard, the reactions are coming in hot. Ben Stiller retweeted the news of Kimmel’s pause, simply stating, “This isn’t right.” Meanwhile, Sophia Bush took to X with a chilling take: “The First Amendment doesn’t exist in America anymore. Fascism is here and it’s chilling.”

Comedian Mike Birbiglia penned a raw note on Instagram, defending Kimmel’s right to speak out. “If you’re a comedian and you don’t call out the insanity of pulling Kimmel off the air - don’t bother spouting off about free speech anymore,” he wrote. Others like Hilarie Burton Morgan, Busy Philipps, and even Steve Martin echoed the sentiment, with Martin quoting Anne Frank on X to underline the stakes of losing free expression.

Mixed Vibes: Celebrations and Criticism

Not everyone’s shedding tears for Kimmel, though. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social with a gleeful jab: “Great news for America: The rating challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.” Ouch - that’s colder than a dip in the Pacific off Venice Beach.

NASCAR’s Danica Patrick, who mourned Kirk publicly, celebrated the move on her Instagram Story, saying, “Human decency is coming back thank god.” Colton Underwood chimed in with a skeptical comment about the “free speech” party flipping the script on cancel culture, while others like Jonathan Van Ness and Margaret Cho dropped stunned reactions on Variety’s posts.

Heavy Hitters Sound the Alarm

Comedians and Commentators Unite

The comedy world isn’t taking this lying down. Wanda Sykes, who was set to guest on Kimmel’s show, blasted the decision on Instagram, pointing fingers at pressure from the Trump administration. “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,” she quipped with a bite sharper than a Hollywood agent’s hustle.

Kathy Griffin urged fans on Bluesky to back Kimmel, warning of the chilling effect. Don Lemon, in a fiery Threads video, called out the hypocrisy of those claiming to defend comedy while “killing” it with moves like this. Chris Hayes of MSNBC didn’t mince words on X either, labeling it “the most straightforward attack on free speech from state actors” he’s ever seen.

A-Listers Stand Firm

From the Hacks set to the music charts, big names are rallying. Jean Smart shared a photo with Kimmel on Instagram, decrying the cancellation as an attack on free speech, not hate speech. John Legend reposted a scathing take on his Stories, while Henry Winkler praised Kimmel’s humor and insights as vital to “showing us who we are” on X.

Even supermodel Christie Brinkley chimed in, stressing the importance of laughter and First Amendment rights. With voices from Jamie Lee Curtis to Alex Edelman and Kevin McHale joining the chorus, it’s clear this isn’t just a late-night kerfuffle - it’s a cultural earthquake rumbling from DTLA to the beachfronts of Santa Monica.

What’s Next for Kimmel and ABC?

As the dust settles over this Hollywood bombshell, all eyes are on Jimmy Kimmel and ABC. Us has reached out to Kimmel for comment, but the silence so far is louder than a Coachella crowd. Will he fight back with the ferocity of a Lakers comeback, or is this the end of an era for late-night TV as we know it?

One thing’s for sure - this saga has sparked a convo about free speech, comedy, and power that’s bigger than any red carpet event. Stick with us as we keep tabs on this story, straight from the heart of Tinseltown, where the drama never sleeps.