ABC halts 'Jimmy Kimmel Live': Revisiting two decades of the host's television career

ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely after Jimmy Kimmel made remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The decision came after criticism from political leaders, media companies, and a warning from the FCC about ABC’s broadcast license. The halt ends a run of over twenty years for Kimmel on late-night television.

Kimmel’s comments created a strong reaction that spread beyond the entertainment industry. The remarks brought together criticism from both political parties and from ABC’s affiliates, including Nexstar, one of the largest station groups. Former President Donald Trump also joined the debate, pointing to the show’s falling ratings as another reason for its suspension.

The sudden break marks the end of Kimmel’s presence on ABC, where he has been a mainstay since 2003. The show carried his name and style for over two decades, shaping late-night television for a new generation of viewers.

Kimmel’s start in television

Jimmy Kimmel started his career in radio and later transferred to television in the late 1990s. He was a co-host on Win Ben Stein's Money at Comedy Central, which demonstrated his humor and timing. He later co-created and co-hosted The Man Show, which further elevated his profile. He was also behind the scenes by being a writer/ producer.

The credits he had included Crank Yankers, The Andy Milonakis Show, which both related to the younger audience. These works made him develop a reputation in the world of comedy before he shifted to network television.

By the beginning of the 2000s, Kimmel had cultivated a kind of style that blended humorous and cultural commentary about everyday things. This preconditioned the fact that ABC decided to make him the head of its late-night programming.

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Two decades of Jimmy Kimmel Live!

The show Jimmy Kimmel Live! debuted on January 26, 2003, immediately after the Super Bowl. The series was turned into the flagship late-night show of ABC, and it competed with the long-term hosts of other channels.

Its viral shows, such as “Celebrities Read Mean Tweets,” were popular on the web and attracted new customers. Kimmel became a frequent guest at large-scale events.

He was a host of the Academy Awards four times and the Primetime Emmy Awards three times. Such roles demonstrated his role in the entertainment industry as a whole, not only in the late-night field. The show was modified with the times.

In 2013, it moved to the 11:35 p.m. slot. It transformed to remote production during the COVID-19 Pandemic and employed guest hosts. Although it has gone up and down in ratings, it has been a significant feature in the ABC lineup until it was suspended.

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The end of Jimmy Kimmel Live! closes a chapter in late-night television. Kimmel has a history of more than two decades as a host behind him, whose work has defined the success of ABC in the late-night market. The comedy and politics can also come together with network television, a fact that manifests itself in his career.

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