Jimmy Fallon voices support for Kimmel after ABC suspension

Jimmy Fallon addressed the suspension of fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel during Thursday’s broadcast of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, calling Kimmel “a decent, funny and loving guy” and expressing hope that he returns to air.

The remarks came a day after ABC announced Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be taken off the schedule indefinitely following Kimmel’s comments on the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The decision was confirmed Wednesday, September 17, by an ABC spokesperson, and as per Us Weekly the programme would be “pre-empted indefinitely.” A rerun of Celebrity Family Feud aired in its place.

Opening his monologue on September 18, Fallon, 50, noted the public confusion around the development. “The big story is that Jimmy Kimmel was suspended by ABC after pressure from the FCC, leaving everyone thinking WTF,” he said. Fallon added that his own father mistakenly texted him to say his show had been cancelled. “To be honest with you all, I don’t know what’s going on, and no one does. But I do know Jimmy Kimmel, and he’s a decent, funny and loving guy, and I hope he comes back.”

Fallon also addressed concerns over free expression, promising to continue his political humour. He launched into a segment about President Donald Trump’s recent trip to the United Kingdom, where each of his critical remarks was humorously replaced by a pre-recorded voiceover offering compliments to Trump. Fallon later returned to his usual satirical tone.

Kimmel, 57, faced criticism after discussing Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Kirk at a Utah Valley University event on September 10. During his September 15 show, Kimmel said supporters of President Trump were attempting to shift blame away from Robinson, who is charged with aggravated murder and other offences. Kimmel compared Trump’s public comments on Kirk’s death to “a four-year-old mourning a goldfish.”

The remarks prompted backlash from Nexstar Media Group, which owns several ABC affiliates. In a statement to Variety, the company said it “strongly objected” to Kimmel’s comments.

Fallon’s comments came hours after he withdrew from a scheduled panel at the Fast Company Innovation Festival in New York, where he was expected to discuss his new NBC series On Brand. Organisers confirmed his absence without elaboration.

President Trump also weighed in on Truth Social, applauding ABC’s decision and labelling Kimmel’s show “ratings challenged.” He suggested Fallon’s and Seth Meyers’ NBC programmes could also face cancellation, continuing a pattern of public criticism of late-night hosts.

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Other comedians, including Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart, also addressed the suspension during their Thursday night broadcasts.