Jimmy Kimmel’s Staff Learn Payment Status Amid ABC Suspension

The staff of Jimmy Kimmel Live! have been given an update on the state of their jobs after the show was suspended ‘indefinitely’ by ABC this week.

Kimmel was pulled off the air following his Charlie Kirk remarks during a monologue on Monday on the late night talk show. Kirk was fatally shot last week while speaking at Utah Valley University.

The comedian had insinuated that suspected shooter Tyler Robinson, 22, was Republican and that the ‘Maga gang’ was trying to ‘score political points’ over Kirk’s tragic passing.

On Wednesday it was revealed that the network made the decision to take Kimmel off the air due to his comments — with the show’s staff seen packing up and leaving the Hollywood studio not long after.

However, the staff of Jimmy Kimmel Live! will continue to be paid next week as discussions about the show’s future continue, per Deadline.

ABC informed the crew with the update while an agreement about the state of the late night talk show has yet to be reached.

Disney executives have been holding ongoing talks with Kimmel beginning on Wednesday, and more were held through Friday. 

During his monologue on Monday, the star said the ‘MAGA gang’ was ‘desperately trying to characterize the kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.’ 

He insinuated that the suspected shooter was conservative — despite investigators stating he has far-left ideologies and was also in a romantic relationship with his transgender roommate.

Kimmel also took a jab at President Donald Trump, sarcastically remarking ‘how hard the president is taking this’ before showing a clip of him deflecting and talking about the White House’s ballroom construction when a reporter offered their condolences for the loss of his ‘friend.’

ABC shared it would not be airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! ‘for the foreseeable future,’ a spokesman announced on Wednesday.

The network’s affiliate group, Nexstar, additionally shared that it ‘strongly objects’ to Kimmel’s comments and ‘will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.’

Kimmel had informed Disney bosses that he planned to address his remarks on Wednesday’s episode but was not willing to apologize for the insensitive comments. 

Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Dana Walden had reportedly been the one to tell Kimmel of his show’s suspension during a phone call, according to Deadline. 

A source told CNN, ‘Everyone deeply values him and wants him to come back. But he has to take down the temperature.’ 

And a veteran television producer shared, ‘There is no more terrifying circumstance for a broadcast entity than the threat of an FCC fine, or worse, that the agency could move to revoke the stations’ broadcast licenses.’ 

One insider stated that talks between Kimmel and Walden have been both ‘very businesslike and polite.’ 

Other sources have shared that Disney has the hopes to have the comedian back on the air ‘soon’ – although it is not known if the TV personality would be eager to return to the network. 

One day after the suspension of his late night talk show, Kimmel was seen emerging on Thursday in L.A.

The star was seen driving a sleek black vehicle as he made his way through a parking structure.

It is understood that the Hollywood star was at a location where a number of law firms are located. 

Shortly after the news of Kimmel’s suspension came to light, his sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez and other staff were seen packing up and leaving the studio.

Rodriguez — who began appearing on the late night talk show in 2003 — was seen driving out of the Hollywood studio with people gathered nearby.

However, he evaded questions about Kimmel being pulled off the air by keeping his windows rolled up.

A number of celebrities have come to the star’s defense including Ben Stiller, Jamie Lee Curtis, John Legend and Henry Winkler. 

Jon Stewart and other late night talk show hosts came together on Thursday in a show of solidarity with Kimmel. 

Stewart appeared on The Daily Show where he promised to do a ‘fun, hilarious administration-compliant’ episode. 

Jimmy Fallon also addressed Kimmel’s suspension during his opening monologue on The Tonight Show. 

‘To be honest with you all, I don’t know what’s going on. And no one does. But I do know Jimmy Kimmel, and he’s a decent, funny and loving guy, and I hope he comes back,’ he said. 

Stephen Colbert – whose show will conclude next year in may – labeled Kimmel’s suspension as ‘blatant censorship.’ 

Unions in Hollywood such as SAG-AFTRA and WGA also came to stand by Kimmel’s side after the show’s cancellation. 

Trump had a differing opinion and shared on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, ‘Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED.

‘Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible.’

Trump concluded with: ‘That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT.’