Jimmy Kimmel’s upcoming interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico will bypass the ABC television broadcast and will be available exclusively on the program’s YouTube channel.
During Wednesday’s monologue, Kimmel announced that his interview with Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico would air “under unusual circumstances” on Thursday, citing ABC’s continued disputes with the Federal Communications Commission.
Kimmel noted that he has interviewed numerous political candidates over the show’s 20‑plus‑year run, from Hillary Clinton to Ted Cruz and Donald Trump, and recalled that Trump had previously welcomed such appearances. However, he added, “something has changed” now that the former president leads the FCC, which has begun targeting ABC and its affiliates.
Kimmel explained that the FCC, chaired by Brendan Carr, has threatened ABC, its affiliates, and local stations over editorial decisions and guest bookings. The tension escalated in September 2025 after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, when Carr condemned Kimmel’s comments and warned of possible license reviews. Kimmel was temporarily suspended, reinstated, and ABC subsequently filed suit against the FCC, alleging violations of free speech and equal‑time rules.
Kimmel clarified that, out of consideration for ABC’s Texas affiliates, the interview will not appear on television. Instead, it will be posted in full on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! YouTube channel, providing viewers an alternative means to learn about the Senate race.
Speculation about the program’s future has resurfaced, with a report earlier this week suggesting that Jimmy Kimmel Live! might conclude in 2027. A source close to Kimmel told The Hollywood Reporter that the rumors have no basis in fact.
The situation mirrors a similar incident in February, when Stephen Colbert’s then‑airing Late Show was barred from broadcasting an interview with Talarico by CBS lawyers citing FCC guidance. The segment was released on YouTube, where it garnered roughly 9.5 million views.
