I thought it was over: Jimmy Kimmel opens up about ABC's last-minute suspension

Two of America’s biggest late-night hosts, Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert, opened up about the recent turmoil -- from ABC’s suspension of Kimmel to CBS’ decision to cancel Colbert’s show in 2026.

Kimmel revealed that he was taken off-air by ABC on September 17 after his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s killing sparked controversy. Speaking on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday night, he recounted learning about the suspension just 90 minutes before taping was scheduled to begin.

"This is unusual. As far as I knew, they didn’t even know I was doing a show previous to this," Kimmel joked, adding that he had to step into his office bathroom to take the call from executives.

Walt Disney-owned ABC has pulled 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' off the air indefinitely following controversy over the comedian’s remarks about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

According to Kimmel, network officials told him they wanted to "take the temperature down" and had decided to cancel that night’s episode. "I thought, 'That’s it. It’s over. I’m never coming back on the air,'" he admitted.

Audience members were already seated when the decision came through and had to be sent home. Musician Howard Jones, who had arrived for his scheduled performance, still played for the studio staff. In a twist of irony, his chosen song was Things Can Only Get Better.

AN EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER: KIMMEL

Kimmel said the days that followed were filled with silence, phone calls, and uncertainty. He compared it to spending "three days in jail" for a DUI, unable to speak publicly while speculation swirled.

The suspension came after Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, urged ABC to act against Kimmel’s comments accusing supporters of President Donald Trump of trying to distance themselves from Kirk’s killing. Before the suspension, Nexstar Media Group had also announced it would not carry 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' on its ABC affiliates.

By September 23, the show returned to air. Kimmel, in his opening monologue, criticised Carr’s remarks as a violation of free speech.

COLBERT ON CBS CANCELLATION NEWS

While Kimmel shared his ordeal, Colbert opened about his own shock earlier this year when CBS told him The Late Show would end in May 2026.

He recalled finding out in July through his manager after a show. "I walk into the apartment, and (my wife) goes, 'What happened? Did you get canceled?' And I said, 'Yes I did,'" Colbert said.

At first, Colbert considered keeping the news from his staff until September, but his wife told him to be honest. The next day, drenched in sweat, he informed his team after taping that night’s episode. He then taped a public announcement but was so nervous that he stumbled through the statement twice. "The audience thought it was a bit," he said. "They started going, 'You can do it, Steve!'"

In response, Kimmel said he was "absolutely shocked" that CBS would cancel Colbert’s show. "It’s not right," he said.

Colbert responded by saying he was glad Kimmel had returned to television. "I’m so happy that your show is back on the air," he told his fellow host.

Kimmel’s comeback episode on September 23 opened with a nearly tearful monologue. He said that his remarks about Kirk had not been intended as a joke.

Kimmel said he now looks back on the experience as surreal. "It was an emotional roller coaster," he told Colbert.

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With inputs from agencies