A deadly silence descended over late-night when Jimmy Kimmel's desk remained vacant, and audience chairs were empty. His voice resounded from living rooms for decades, powered by his provocative humor and hard-hitting punchlines. His monologues awakened laughter and occasionally controversy. However, ABC put Kimmel's talk show on hold indefinitely, following a recent political remark.

Though the laughter hung suspended in possibility, there is a chance he could be back on air. Amidst uncertainty, could applause for Kimmel return in full glory?

Recent reports from Variety indicated that Jimmy Kimmel has been in talks with Disney and ABC executives to reinstate Jimmy Kimmel Live! Season 23 back on air after reaching a compromise. The show was canceled after the criticism that Kimmel drew for his monologue about Charlie Kirk's assassination. ABC halted airing the show indefinitely as pressure arose from the media outlets, political leaders, and the Federal Communications Commission. 

During those negotiations, sources of the outlet indicated that Kimmel has reportedly been considering terms following the regulatory issues raised by the FCC, contemplating what calamity a permanent dismissal of his crew would entail, many of whom are still reeling from the 2023 actors and writers' strike. But no resolution to the matter has been reached yet; therefore, no definitive return date or a clear statement from ABC and Kimmel himself can confirm his return. Meanwhile, his crew has been left hanging, still being compensated for the time being, but with no idea what lies ahead.

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Even when the stage is clear, the world has its ears perked up, leaning deeper into the politically-charged late-night talk show space.

The political controversy centers on remarks Jimmy Kimmel made during his September 15, 2025, opening monologue, where he criticized the "MAGA gang" while talking about the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which resulted in affiliates removing the show and warnings by FCC Chair Brendan Carr for potential violations for the dissemination of false information. ABC subsequently suspended production indefinitely due to these scandals, public outrage, and regulatory pressure.

It is not just Kimmel facing the wrath of permanent suspension, as CBS also pulled the plug on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Late Show, and The Tonight Show with Seth Meyers have also reportedly been seeing a drastic viewership decline of 70% to 80% since 2015, leading to financial reconsideration. Whether Kimmel can appear back on air despite the culmination of his contract in May 2026 is yet to be seen.

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