ABC Reveals Temporary Replacement for ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Late-night television was shaken this week after ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be pulled from its schedule. The move came after backlash over Kimmel’s September 15 monologue, and by September 17 the network confirmed the program would be “pre-empted indefinitely.” In its place, ABC said reruns of Steve Harvey’s Celebrity Family Feud would temporarily air.

The decision prompted swift reactions across the broadcasting world. ABC affiliates were issued urgent memos, and major partners soon followed with their own responses.

Nexstar Media Group, the country’s largest local broadcaster, announced it would stop airing Kimmel’s show on its ABC stations. Not long after, Sinclair Broadcast Group said it would replace the program with a tribute special.

The timing only intensified the controversy. The announcement came just days after the 77th Emmy Awards, which had highlighted the achievements of Hollywood’s top performers. What began as a celebratory week for the industry quickly turned into a crisis for ABC’s late-night lineup.

Kimmel, who has been a staple of the network since 2003, was later spotted in Los Angeles meeting with his legal team. The sight fueled speculation over his possible next move.

In the meantime, Celebrity Family Feud reruns will occupy the slot, but ABC has not confirmed whether Kimmel will return or if a permanent replacement is being considered.

With uncertainty hanging over one of television’s most familiar late-night shows, both fans and industry insiders are left waiting for answers about the program’s future.