Jimmy Kimmel’s staff ‘know nothing’ in wake of ABC axing his show
Following the pulling have the host’s show over remarks he made about the Charlie Kirk assassination, a staffer on Jimmy Kimmel’s axed series has said the team “know nothing” about its future.
Jimmy Kimmel’s staff “know nothing” in the wake of ABC axing his show.
The 57-year-old host had his Jimmy Kimmel Live! series pulled after he came under fire for remarks about Charlie Kirk, the right-wing activist shot dead aged 31 on 10 September while addressing a university event in Utah.
A staff member on Jimmy’s show has now described the uncertainty behind the scenes after ABC indefinitely shelved the late-night programme following the host’s comments about the assassination.
The unnamed employee told People: “We don’t know anything. We’re all on standby. Jimmy and the producers have had to keep this close to the vest.
“There’s been nothing by way of communication from the network since ABC placed the show on hiatus. “We’re just hoping that we’re gonna hear something soon and hopefully it’s good. I’m not ready to admit that it’s over.”
According to the staffer, ABC’s decision came “shortly before showtime” on 17 September, after hours of preparation for filming.
They said: “It was very quick and very shocking. It was a big shock to everybody.”
The staffer added the announcement was followed by a staff meeting.
They stressed while the situation is “way out of our hands”, the team remains united.
People’s source added: “The Kimmel crew is a family.
“We’re literally just going off of our gut and our hope. We’re standing strong together and hoping there’s some sort of peaceful resolution in our future.”
During his now-controversial broadcast, Jimmy said: “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise 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.”
Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with aggravated murder in connection with Charlie’s death.
Jimmy also showed footage of Donald Trump being asked about Charlie’s killing, with the former president responding: “I think very good,” before switching topics to renovations at the White House. Jimmy remarked: “Yes, he’s at the fourth stage of grief: construction.”
Nexstar and Sinclair, two of the largest broadcast companies in the United States, condemned Jimmy’s comments and pulled his show from ABC affiliates.
Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr praised their decision on X.
Sinclair has demanded Jimmy apologise to Charlie’s family and donate to Turning Point USA, the conservative organisation founded by Charlie, before returning the programme to air.
In a separate statement on social media, Jimmy said: “Instead of the angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human? On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fall victim to senseless gun violence.”
