'Celebrity Family Feud' replaces 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' after ABC pulls show over Charlie Kirk comments

ABC has placed Jimmy Kimmel Live! on indefinite hiatus following remarks host Jimmy Kimmel made about the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The network confirmed the decision on September 17, according to a statement provided to People.

Kirk, 31, was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on September 10. During his September 15 broadcast, Kimmel criticized what he described as political attempts to manipulate the tragedy, saying, “The MAGA Gang (is) desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”

Following the controversy, ABC informed affiliate stations through a memo obtained by Variety that reruns of Celebrity Family Feud would replace Kimmel’s program on September 17 and 18. The memo also indicated additional guidance from Disney and ABC was forthcoming. Sinclair, the largest ABC affiliate group in the U.S., announced it would preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 19 with a special tribute to Kirk. In a press release, Sinclair stated the suspension would remain until ABC addressed “professionalism and accountability” and called on Kimmel to apologize to Kirk’s family and donate to Turning Point USA, the group Kirk co-founded in 2012.

Nexstar Media, another major affiliate owner, also objected to Kimmel’s comments and said it would substitute other programming in markets where it operates ABC stations.

The decision has sparked reactions across Hollywood. Wanda Sykes, who was scheduled to appear on the pulled episode, posted a video on Instagram criticizing the move, while actor Ben Stiller shared on X that “This isn’t right.” Other celebrities including Sophia Bush, Kathy Griffin, and Don Lemon also voiced support for Kimmel.