Why wasn't 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' aired in Nashville? What the late-night host said following suspension
Show Caption Hide Caption Jimmy Kimmel defends free speech in emotional return to air Jimmy Kimmel delivered a powerful monologue, defending free speech and clarifying his controversial joke following the death of Charlie Kirk.
Jimmy Kimmel returned to his show with a lengthy monologue in which he addressed his suspension and criticized ABC's decision.
The late-night host became visibly emotional while clarifying his comments about Charlie Kirk's murder, which prompted his suspension.
Several local ABC affiliates, including Nashville's WKRN, did not air Kimmel's return episode.
Jimmy Kimmel's awaited return to late night television was marked by calling out ABC, a reflection of his original comments made following Charlie Kirk's shooting death and a critique of those who took his show off air.
In a nearly 18-minute opening monologue, the late-night host publicly addressed the suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" for the first time, having previously remained silent amid mounting backlash against ABC and its parent company, Disney.
The Emmy-winning comedian recalled the support he received from friends and fans, reiterated the importance of free speech and grew visibly emotional as he clarified his comments surrounding the fatal shooting of the conservative activist.
“This show is not important,” Kimmel said during his Sept. 23 episode. “What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.”
Viewers in Nashville, however, weren't able to tune in as the local ABC-affiliate station WKRN — owned by Nexstar Media Group — announced it would continue to preempt "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Here's what else to know.
More: Comedy was the original battleground for cancel culture. Kimmel changed everything.
What did Jimmy Kimmel say following his show's suspension?
Kimmel had pointed words for his employer, ABC, saying he was “not happy when they pulled me off the air on Wednesday” and that he “did not agree with that decision.”
“I shared my point of view, they shared theirs. We talked it through, and in the end — even though they didn’t have to, they really didn’t have to — this is a giant company, we have short attention spans, and I’m a tiny part of the Disney corporation — they welcomed me back on the air, and I thank them for that,” he said.
Kimmel also took aim at President Donald Trump, who wrote on Truth Social that he “can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back.” In the same Sept. 23 post, Trump suggested he would file another lawsuit against the network.
The host said that move “unjustly” puts ABC at risk, noting that “the president of the United States made it very clear he wants to see me and the hundreds of people who work here fired from our jobs.”
“Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke,” Kimmel continued. “We have to speak out against this bully. He’s not stopping. And it’s not just comedy. He’s gunning for our journalists, too. He’s suing them, he’s bullying them.”
Kimmel also revisited the comments he made following Kirk’s death, remarks that led to the show’s suspension. Nearly in tears, he said it was never his intention to make light of the fatal shooting.
“I have many friends and family members on the other side who I love and remain close to, even though we don’t agree on politics at all,” Kimmel said during his monologue. “I don’t think the murderer who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone.”
He also praised Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, for the speech she gave at his Sept. 21 memorial in Arizona, where she said she forgave Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing her husband. Robinson faces murder and other felony charges, including discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering for allegedly instructing his roommate not to cooperate with authorities. Utah prosecutors will seek the death penalty.
To those involved in suspending "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Kimmel said: “That’s not legal. That’s not American. It’s unAmerican.”
More: Trump, others dismiss Jimmy Kimmel return as 'GARBAGE' and 'crocodile tears'
Why wasn't Jimmy Kimmel's return episode aired in Nashville? What he said
On Sept. 23, Nexstar announced that its owned and partner television stations affiliated with the ABC Television Network will continue to preempt "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
According to a statement, Nexstar made the decision following what ABC described as Kimmel’s “ill-timed and insensitive” comments during “a critical time in our national discourse.”
Nexstar added that it stands by the decision, pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of “respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve.”
“In the meantime, we note that 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' will be available nationwide on multiple Disney-owned streaming platforms, while our stations will continue to focus on producing local news and other programming relevant to their respective markets,” the statement read.
Kimmel playfully addressed the stations which would not be airing "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and said, "We are off the air in Nashville, New Orleans, Portland, Oregon, Salt Lake City and St. Louis where none of my wife's family is able to watch the show tonight."
"So sorry, Aunt Sharon. Sorry, Aunt Marine. You'll have to go to YouTube, I guess."
Will 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!" be aired in Nashville going forward?
Kimmel's return isn't permanent. Nexstar and Sinclair still chose to preempt the show with other coverage. In its statement, Nexstar said it would "monitor the show as it returns to ABC."
While ABC has featured Kimmel's late-night show since 2003, Kimmel's contract with the network is up in May 2026, according to The Associated Press and CNN. That could mean more changes ahead, USA TODAY reported.
Why was Jimmy Kimmel suspended?
On Sept. 17, ABC announced it was “indefinitely” suspending “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Kimmel, in a monologue, had said “the MAGA gang” was “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.”
Kirk, cofounder of the conservative organization Turning Point USA, was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. A suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, has been charged with his murder.
Disney-owned ABC’s decision came after the head of the Federal Communications Commission appointed by Trump expressed ire at the host’s comments and broadcaster Nexstar announced intentions not to air the show.
Margo Price responds to Jimmy Kimmel suspension
Kimmel's last musical guest before his suspension was Nashville-based country music singer Margo Price, who performed "Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down."
"If this was going to be the last word, I'm glad it was mine," Price said in a social media post.
While singing the song, released in June, Price changed the original chorus lyrics "keep all them haters underground, don't let the bastards get you down" to "keep all fascists haters underground, don't let the bastards get you down."
Contributing: USA TODAY, Angele Latham
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for the Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X at @_leyvadiana
[SRC] https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/2025/09/24/why-jimmy-kimmel-live-wasnt-aired-in-nashville-following-charlie-kirk-comments/86325589007/
