ABC Followed Jimmy Kimmel's Predecessor's Fate. Details on Bill Maher's Current Situation

ABC terminates Bill Maher's late-night program following questionable 9/11 comments, and it appears Jimmy Kimmel, his replacement, may suffer a similar outcome.

, and ASMedia

2025 September 23 . 5:33 PM

2 min read

ABC Discontinued Bill Maher's Show. Here's an Overview of What Transpired with Bill Maher

ABC Followed Jimmy Kimmel's Predecessor's Fate. Details on Bill Maher's Current Situation

In a rare move for modern TV media, ABC has suspended "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" indefinitely, following controversial comments made by the host. This decision comes after a firestorm of criticism, which was particularly intense in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The controversy began when Jimmy Kimmel made remarks about Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative figure. The backlash was immediate and amplified by conservative media, causing several advertisers to flee the show.

It's important to note that ABC cancelled Bill Maher's program, Politically Incorrect, in the wake of a similar firestorm around comments Maher made. Maher was ousted from his time slot, which was later filled by Kimmel.

ABC's decision to suspend Kimmel's show has not resulted in his termination as of this writing. However, FCC chairman Brendan Carr has warned that Disney and ABC could face consequences if they fail to address the issue. Carr said, "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct and take action, frankly, on Kimmel or there's going to be additional work for the FCC ahead."

In response to the controversy, a statement was later released through Kimmel's publicist, offering apologies to anyone who took his comments wrong. The statement did not specify what exactly Kimmel's comments were, but it did emphasize his commitment to respectful and inclusive dialogue.

Interestingly, ABC has made similar moves in the past. In May 2002, they pulled the plug on Maher's show, Politically Incorrect, due to a ratings decline.

In a twist of events, on Friday, September 20, Sinclair's ABC stations will air a tribute to Charlie Kirk during the usual time slot of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" instead of the show itself. This special remembrance is likely to fill the void left by the suspended show.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact the future of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and the broader landscape of TV media.