Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show staff learn if they will still be paid amid ABC suspension chaos

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After ABC paused production on Jimmy Kimmel Live! earlier this week, the show’s staff received an update about their employment status.

Jimmy Kimmel’s show was briefly interrupted after he made comments about Charlie Kirk during his opening monologue on Monday. Kirk was tragically killed last week while giving a speech at Utah Valley University.

The comedian suggested that Tyler Robinson, the suspected shooter, was a Republican, and accused supporters of Donald Trump-referred to as the ‘MAGA gang’-of attempting to exploit Kirk’s death for political gain.

News broke on Wednesday that the network had cancelled Kimmel’s show because of statements he made. Shortly after, staff were seen packing up and leaving the studio in Hollywood.

Despite ongoing discussions about the show’s future, the staff of Jimmy Kimmel Live! will continue to receive their paychecks next week, according to Deadline.

ABC updated the team, but they haven’t finalized a deal regarding the future of the late-night talk show.

Disney leaders have been in discussions with Jimmy Kimmel since Wednesday, and those conversations continued through Friday.

On Monday, the actor stated that supporters of Donald Trump, or the ‘MAGA gang,’ are working hard to distance themselves from the person who attacked Charlie Kirk, and are attempting to use the incident to their political advantage.

Okay, so here’s what’s frustrating me. Someone tried to spin this tragic shooting by suggesting the suspect was right-wing, but that’s just not what the facts show. Investigators have clearly stated he held far-left beliefs *and* was in a relationship with his transgender roommate. It’s important to stick to the truth, especially in situations like this, and jumping to conclusions based on political assumptions is incredibly damaging and inaccurate.

Jimmy Kimmel also made fun of President Trump, jokingly wondering how upset he was about something. He then played a clip of Trump avoiding the topic and instead talking about renovations to the White House ballroom when a reporter expressed sympathy for the loss of an acquaintance.

ABC announced on Wednesday that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will not be broadcast for the time being, according to a network spokesperson.

Nexstar, the network’s affiliate group, also stated it ‘strongly disagrees’ with Kimmel’s remarks and plans to substitute the show with different programs in the areas where it broadcasts ABC.

Jimmy Kimmel told Disney executives he would discuss his controversial statements on Wednesday’s show, but he wouldn’t be saying sorry for them.

Deadline reports that Dana Walden, a co-chairman at Disney Entertainment, informed Jimmy Kimmel about the show being put on hold during a phone conversation.

From what I’m hearing, people really care about this person and genuinely want him to return. However, everyone agrees he needs to dial things down and approach the situation with a calmer attitude before that can happen. It’s about creating a more positive environment, and he’s a key part of that – but needs to adjust his approach first.

As someone who’s followed the industry for years, I can tell you nothing scares a TV network more than the FCC. The thought of a fine is bad enough, but the real nightmare is the possibility of losing their license to broadcast altogether. It’s a constant worry for those in charge.

From what I’m hearing, the conversations between Jimmy Kimmel and Dana Walden have been really professional and respectful. It sounds like they’re keeping things strictly business, which is a good sign when navigating these kinds of discussions.

Disney is reportedly hoping to bring the comedian back to television ‘soon,’ but it’s unclear if the personality wants to rejoin the network.

Jimmy Kimmel was spotted in Los Angeles on Thursday, just a day after his late-night show was temporarily taken off the air.

The star was seen driving a sleek black vehicle as he made his way through a parking structure.

It is understood that the Hollywood star was at a location where a number of law firms are located. 

Right after it became public that Jimmy Kimmel was suspended, his assistant Guillermo Rodriguez and other members of the show’s team were spotted packing up their belongings and leaving the studio.

I noticed a bit of a buzz yesterday as Rodriguez, a familiar face on late-night television since 2003, was leaving the Hollywood studio. There were quite a few people around, clearly excited to catch a glimpse!

He avoided answering questions about Jimmy Kimmel being taken off the air by simply refusing to engage, keeping his car windows closed to block out reporters.

Several celebrities, such as Ben Stiller, Jamie Lee Curtis, John Legend, and Henry Winkler, have publicly supported the actor.

On Thursday, Jon Stewart and several other late-night talk show hosts joined together to support Jimmy Kimmel.

Stewart made an appearance on The Daily Show and said he would deliver an episode that was both entertaining and followed all the necessary rules and guidelines.

Jimmy Fallon also addressed Kimmel’s suspension during his opening monologue on The Tonight Show. 

Honestly, I’m as confused as everyone else about what’s happening. But I know Jimmy Kimmel, and he’s a good person – funny and kind – and I really hope he returns.

Stephen Colbert, whose show ends next May, called the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel ‘blatant censorship’.

After the show was canceled, Hollywood unions like SAG-AFTRA and the WGA publicly supported Kimmel.

Donald Trump reacted to the news on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating that the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel’s show was ‘Great News for America,’ and noting its declining viewership.

It’s good to see ABC taking necessary action. Jimmy Kimmel lacks skill and his show performs worse in ratings than Stephen Colbert’s, which is quite a feat.

Trump ended his statement by criticizing Jimmy and Seth, calling them ‘total losers’ and pointing to low ratings for their show on NBC. He urged NBC to take action, signing off as ‘President DJT’.

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2025-09-20 07:05