Jimmy Kimmel has been one of the most influential figures in entertainment and comedy in history. However as of a couple days ago his popular late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, was taken off the air by ABC. It is important to analyze his astonishing career and look at what the future holds.
Born in Brooklyn, Kimmel grew up as a Catholic Italian serving on the altar and unfortunately rooting for the Mets. Later, his family moved to Las Vegas and Kimmel attended ED W. Clark High School where he found his passion for entertainment. Inspired by David Letterman, another popular comedian, Kimmel began following his radio passion in high school. When he eventually graduated and attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas, he hosted the college Sunday night interview show. It was then that he knew he wanted to pursue a career in comedy.
He began at the FOX network as a writer and was quickly recruited to become the comedic counterpart to Ben Stein on Win Ben Stein’s Money. The charismatic pair ended up winning an Emmy for Best Game Show Host. His time at FOX and Comedy Central helped to solidify his standing in the industry.
In 2003 Kimmel eventually left Comedy Central because ABC recruited him to star in their new comedy show which they fittingly named, Jimmy Kimmel Live based in Los Angeles. The show amassed 23 seasons and is the second longest-running late night TV show after Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show. It was nominated for the Emmys 39 times and won three times. It is undoubtedly his most popular show and almost two million Americans watched the show every night. Unfortunately this success recently came to an end.
Following the recent shooting of political activist Charlie Kirk, Kimmel made the comment, “The Maga Gang desperately trying to characterize this kid (Tyler Robinson) who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.” This angered many Republicans who thought these comments were insensitive. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) which under the current administration is aligned with Republicans called for Kimmel’s removal. ABC responded to this backlash by suspending Jimmy Kimmel Live indefinitely. This decision sparked political controversy from the left as many argued that this was a violation of free speech and as a comedian Kimmel said nothing wrong and was merely trying to be funny. Other political figures have stepped in as former President Barack Obama exclaimed, “This is precisely the kind of government coercion that the First Amendment was designed to prevent — and media companies need to start standing up rather than capitulating to it.” Whether what Kimmel said on the air was right or wrong, it is undeniable that the integrity and truth of the First Amendment is under intense pressure and it will be fascinating to see how the current Trump administration, the entertainment industry, Kimmel himself and America moves on.
Lost in the political debate, is what Kimmel posted shortly after news of the shooting broke. “Instead of 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” – @jimmykimmel.com
PS: It was announced today, 23 September 2025, that Kimmel’s show will return to the air tonight after a week.
