Veteran talk show host Jimmy Kimmel recently spoke about the time he was suspended from his show in September 2025 after some comments about Right-wing activist Charlie Kirk that many deemed controversial. Kimmel revealed during his podcast appearance that he missed out on a big opportunity because of the suspension that lasted only a few days.
Jimmy Kimmel talks about missed opportunity after ABC suspension
Jimmy Kimmel, a vocal critic of the Donald Trump regime, got into trouble last year after ABC network bowed to pressure from the administration over some comments Kimmel made. Kimmel’s jokes about conservative influencer Charlie Kirk were deemed insensitive by the Trump administration.
Shortly after this, Kimmel’s show was taken off the air indefinitely. Ultimately, the suspension only lasted from September 17 to September 25, 2026. But Kimmel claimed that he missed a big opportunity during this time.
During his appearance on the Funny You Ask with Ike Barinholtz, Kimmel and Barinholtz discussed all-female pop-rock bands. Barinholtz said, “I was obsessed with The Bangles. I love Susanna Hoffman!” Kimmel said, “I still do!” The host responded, “I met her because she’s married to the great Jay Roach. I met her at a party one time, like five years ago. And I was like sweating and really nervous.”
Kimmel went on to reveal that the week his show was suspended, something very exciting was slated to happen. “Can I tell you something? When I got suspended at ABC, we were in the middle of ’80s week. And Susanna Hoffman was going to be singing, and I was excited about it, and then, it didn’t happen.”
Barinholtz exclaimed, “They took this away from us.” Kimmel echoed, “They took that. Yeah.” “Screw you! Screw you, Trump!” the podcast host added.
Kimmel’s suspension garnered a lot of attention at the time. When Kimmel’s show returned, its viewership skyrocketed.
