Popular host Jimmy Kimmel of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ has seen his show put on indefinite hold (with real concerns it won’t ever return) following comments on the political reaction to the Charlie Kirk assassination that caused a reaction from the FCC and particularly an ABC affiliate that immediately pulled the show from its stations.
xDV4Uo5c61DKtdr0PwGjb7
Here’s the comment that Kimmel made on Monday that led to the suspension and the FCC weighing in on the issue:
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”
Kimmel had intended to offer some clarification and address the backlash on his Wednesday night show, but the series is now on hold.
New information has come to light that the Nexstar company in charge of the affiliates is in the midst of a pricey merger deal, which requires FCC approval. And Hollywood –– including the Writers Guild of America and actors union SAG-AFTRA –– have voiced their outrage about the move.
“After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like. This is precisely the kind of government coercion that the First Amendment was designed to prevent — and media companies need to start standing up rather than capitulating to it.”
Kimmel suspension: the FCC responds
(L to R) Guillermo Rodriguez and Jimmy Kimmel on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’. Photo: ABC.
Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr had threatened to take further action against ABC if the show wasn’t taken off the air.
Here’s what Carr said in a statement:
“I want to thank Nexstar for doing the right thing. Local broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest. While this may be an unprecedented decision, it is important for broadcasters to push back on Disney programming that they determine falls short of community values. I hope that other broadcasters follow Nexstar’s lead.”
When will ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ return to screens?
There is, at time of writing, no information on when (or if) the show might come back. Kimmel had been contracted into 2026, but this may encourage him to seek a platform elsewhere.
‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,’ meanwhile, is scheduled to be on the air until the end of its current season in May 2026.
Host Stephen Colbert announced the shock news at a taping on Thursday.
The President has already hit social media with his delight.
In a shocking announcement during a taping on the show on Thursday this week, ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s host announced that corporate overlords CBS had decided to end the show next year.
I88Co7yO9Of3qRqjKH7Jx
This was the statement on decision from Paramount co-CEO and CBS president and CEO George Cheeks, CBS Entertainment head Amy Reisenbach and CBS Studios president David Stapf:
“ ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season. We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire The Late Show franchise at that time. We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television. This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”
Though the CBS teams were at pains to stress the reasons for the move, the optics on the decision are not great for the company.
Especially since Colbert has been vocal on the show about his thoughts regarding CBS’ settlement with President Trump in order to facilitate forward movement on its merger with David Ellison’s Skydance company.
And while the financial fortunes of all the late night shows have suffered and traditional networks are tightening their belts in the age of streaming, it’s a particularly bad look at a time when companies have been under attack.
Colbert has –– at least for now, assuming the show doesn’t end earlier than announced –– a chance to make his thoughts very clear in the wake of the cancellation decision.
President Trump naturally took to social media to offer his gleeful response to the cancellation of one of the people who have taken a stand against him:
“I absolutely love that Colbert’ got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert!”
“Love you Stephen. F**k you and all your Sheldons CBS.”
When will ‘The Late Show’ end?
As of right now, the show is scheduled to come to an end in May 2026.
What will be shown in its place? That’s anyone’s guess at this point, but given the increasingly troubled viewership figures for late night shows, we may well end up with repeats or other series.
Conan O’Brien will host the 2025 Oscar ceremony. Photo: Team Coco.
Preview:
Conan O’Brien will host next year’s Oscars ceremony.
The announcement comes after a lengthy search.
O’Brien has experience with shows such as ‘The Simpsons’ and his own late night output.
Each year –– aside from when a previous host such as Jimmy Kimmel agrees to return –– there is the seemingly long slog for the team behind the Academy Awards in finding a suitable host for the televised ceremony of handing out trophies to some of the best movies and performances of the past year.
Now we finally know who has the job: Conan O’Brien, a man who is best known for his comedy career, his relatively short-lived stint in primetime late-night TV and his resurgence after that.
Conan began his late-night hosting career in 1993, taking over for David Letterman on NBC’s ‘Late Night.’ After an ill-fated, year-long tenure at ‘The Tonight Show’ after replacing Jay Leno in 2009, O’Brien later moved to TBS for ‘Conan,’ which he hosted from 2011 to 2021.
noeLbecwNqZiloOsL4XA82
In recent years, he transitioned from anchoring a late night talk show to hosting a hit podcast, ‘Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,’ and presiding over a podcasting empire under the banner of Team Coco.
He’s an interesting choice –– certainly a proven talent in both writing and performing, but perhaps not as well-known as some previous hosts. Still, his job will be to make some initial jokes and keep the ceremony moving and we’re fascinated to see what he comes up with.
Who else was considered for this year’s Oscar ceremony?
(L to R) Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman attend the UK Fan Event of Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ at Eventim Apollo, London on July 11th, 2024. Photo by StillMoving.Net for The Walt Disney Company Limited.
While the search for a new host is private, there are always leaks and speculation about who might take the stage, following a legacy that has included the likes of Kimmel, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Lewis, Hugh Jackman and Bob Hope.
This year, while Kimmel was offered the chance to return, he turned it down, and comedian John Mulaney also reportedly passed on the job. There was also talk of Jackman coming back, this time alongside ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ co-star/pal Ryan Reynolds, but that has not worked out.
AcaConan O’Brien as Oscars host: Conan and the Producers Speak
Conan O’Brien in ‘Conan. Photo: TBS.
In his own, inimitable, self-deprecating style, O’Brien had this to say about the choice:
“America demanded it and now it’s happening: Taco Bell’s new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I’m hosting the Oscars.”
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang were more straightforward in their own press release:
“We are thrilled and honored to have the incomparable Conan O’Brien host the Oscars this year. He is the perfect person to help lead our global celebration of film with his brilliant humor, his love of movies, and his live TV expertise. His remarkable ability to connect with audiences will bring viewers together to do what the Oscars do best –– honor the spectacular films and filmmakers of this year.”
Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich had this to say:
“Conan is a preeminent comedic voice, whose decades-long success is marked by his distinctive humor and perspective. He joins an iconic roster of comedy greats who have served in this role, and we are so lucky to have him center stage for the Oscars.”
Finally, this was the comment from Oscars executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan:
“Conan has all the qualities of a great Oscars host –– he is incredibly witty, charismatic and funny and has proven himself to be a master of live event television. We are so looking forward to working with him to deliver a fresh, exciting and celebratory show for Hollywood’s biggest night.”
When will the 97th Oscars be on TV?
The 97th Academy Awards are set to air live on ABC on March 2nd next year, starting at 7pm ET/4pm PT.
The 2025 Oscar ceremony will take place on March 2nd. Photo: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Nominated films include two of the biggest blockbusters of last year, ‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘Barbie,’ as well as critically acclaimed movies like ‘The Holdovers,’ ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ ‘Poor Things,’ and ‘Maestro.’
While ‘Oppenheimer’ seems poised to have a big night, and Robert Downey Jr. and Da’Vine Joy Randolph are virtual locks in their supporting categories, Best Actor is still a two-man race between Cillian Murphy and Paul Giamatti, with the Best Actress category too close to call between Lily Gladstone and Emma Stone.
Below are our predictions for who will win Oscars on Sunday at the 96th Academy Awards. We are only breaking down our predictions for the six major categories, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress.
Let’s Begin!
BEST PICTURE
Cillian Murphy is J. Robert Oppenheimer in ‘Oppenheimer,’ written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.
This is probably the easiest category to call as it’s obvious that ‘Oppenheimer’ will win Best Picture. The film has won every major award so far including the Golden Globes, Critics Choice and a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast.
Considering the movie’s critical acclaim, box office achievements, domination during award season, and the overall love for director Christopher Nolan, it would seem like this is finally his year to win Best Picture and Best Director, but more on that in a minute.
While many fans are probably rooting for ‘Barbie’ to pull out a win, it doesn’t seem very likely at this point. ‘Oppenheimer’s biggest competition is probably ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ ‘Poor Things’ and possibly ‘The Holdovers,’ but again, it seems very unlikely that any of them will ultimately be able to best Nolan’s movie.
Who Could Win: ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ or ‘Poor Things’
1tOJVQRXmFcGn2lZ7Th6l7
BEST DIRECTOR
Writer, director, and producer Christopher Nolan on the set of ‘Oppenheimer.’
If Best Picture is the easiest category to predict this year, then Best Director is the second easiest. Again, this is Christopher Nolan’s year!
Having won a Golden Globe, a Critics Choice Award, and the all-important DGA Award, Nolan is all but a lock to win his long-overdue first Best Director Oscar.
Nolan’s biggest competition is probably a nostalgia win from legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese, or a surprise win from ‘Poor Things’ Yorgos Lanthimos, but neither seem very likely. It would be quite a shock if Nolan does not end up winning this award.
Who Could Win: Martin Scorsese, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’
BEST ACTOR
Cillian Murphy is J. Robert Oppenheimer in ‘Oppenheimer,’ written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.
As mentioned earlier, this has become a two-man race between ‘Oppenheimer’s Cillian Murphy and ‘The Holdover’s Paul Giamatti.
Since the Golden Globes puts comedic performances in a separate category, both actors won, however Giamatti bested Murphy at the Critics Choice Awards. It seemed like Giamatti was the frontrunner, but with Murphy recently winning the all-important SAG award, I think this is now Murphy’s award to lose.
Since the actor’s branch of the Academy is who votes for this award, and they are also SAG members, you never want to bet against the SAG winner, as it is almost always a precursor of who will win on Oscar night. That doesn’t mean Giamatti is completely out, but the momentum is no longer on his side and with ‘Oppenheimer’ poised to have a big night, Murphy seems like the clear choice at this point.
(L to R) JaNae Collins, Lily Gladstone, Cara Jade Myers and Jillian Dion in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ coming soon to Apple TV+.
In another category that seems too close to call, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’s Lily Gladstone has a slight edge over ‘Poor Things’ Emma Stone.
Again, because the Golden Globes separates comedic and dramatic performances, both actresses won. But Stone won the Critics Choice Award, putting her in the frontrunner’s seat.
However, Gladstone recently won the all-important SAG Award, and again, since it’s basically the same group that votes for this category, I’d say she is now the frontrunner.
There has been some talk that Gladstone’s role is really a supporting performance, and that could hurt her chances of winning. But since Stone already has a Best Actress trophy for her work in ‘La La Land,’ I think Gladstone will end up being triumphant and that’s how the Academy will reward Scorsese’s movie.
Who Will Win: Lily Gladstone, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’
Who Could Win: Emma Stone, ‘Poor Things’
YCvga3O8OlBkT03VQ1SPw
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Robert Downey Jr is Lewis Strauss in ‘Oppenheimer,’ written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.
This is an easy category to call, as this is clearly Robert Downey Jr.’s year too!
Having won the Golden Globe, Critics Choice and SAG Award, Downey has virtually no competition in this category and with ‘Oppenheimer’ poised to sweep most of its categories, Downey’s win is all but locked.
A surprise upset could possibly come from Ryan Gosling for his work in ‘Barbie,’ but it’s not very likely and it seems that Downey will be rewarded not only for ‘Oppenheimer’ but also for his famous career comeback and work creating the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In another locked category, Da’Vine Joy Randolph should end up winning for her work in ‘The Holdovers.’
Randolph has been winning all season, taking home a Golden Globe, Critics Choice and SAG Award for her work. This is probably how the Academy will reward Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ especially if Murphy ends up beating Giamatti.
She could have some competition from Emily Blunt, especially if ‘Oppenheimer’ sweeps, but otherwise it’s safe to say that Randolph should be practicing her acceptance speech now.
(Left) Jimmy Kimmel. Photo: ABC/Jeff Lipsky. (Center) ‘Tonight Show’ host Jimmy Fallon. Photo: Todd Owyoung/NBC. (Right) Stephen Colbert from ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.’ Photo: CBS.com.
When the writers’ strike began in May, it meant that all the Late Night talk shows had to shut down, since they employ Writers Guild of America staff to write monologues, questions for guests and skits for the hosts to appear in.
Plus, the hosts themselves are WGA members and would not cross picket lines to work.
Yet with the Writers and the AMPTP, which represents the studios sealing a successful deal, the WGA officially ended the strike at midnight today (Wednesday 27th September). And that means that the hosts of ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’, ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ and ‘Late Night with Seth Meyers’ will all be back on Monday.
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is returning Sunday, and the hosts are wrapping up their podcast Strike Force Five. It takes a few days for their shows to ramp back up to production, book guests and other necessary work.
What was Strike Force 5?
‘Late Night with Seth Meyers’ host Seth Meyers. Photo: Lloyd Bishop/NBC.
During the strike, Oliver, Kimmel, Fallon, Colbert and Meyers created a podcast called ‘Strike Force 5’ that they hosted, with proceeds from paid subscriptions going to the crews who needed support while the different shows were shut down.
“Their mission complete, the founding members of Strike Force 5 will return to their network television shows this Monday 10/2 and one of them to premium cable on 10/1,” said the hosts in a statement.
They followed up with a typically humorous summation of the whole situation:
“Of course, in a greater sense, the Strike Force 5 will never end because Strike Force 5 is not a place, Strike Force 5 is not a people, Strike Force 5 is barely a podcast, nay Strike Force 5 is an idea. An idea five men could talk on top of each other for 12 episodes and maybe somebody would listen. As we say goodbye, we would like to thank all those somebodies, truly, you were the heroes. We were mostly the heroes, but you were in there, too. We want to thank the entire Strike Force 5 team, our wives, our special guests and apologize to Conan O’Brien, who agreed to do the pod, but Stephen forgot to send him any possible dates and the strike ended.”
(L to R) Bill Maher and Andrew Yang on ‘Real Time with Bill Maher.’ Photograph by Janet Van Ham/HBO.
Some of their fellow talk show hosts, the daytime likes of Drew Barrymore and ‘The Talk’ team had planned to come back before the strike ended but curtailed that idea after public backlash and comments from Guild members.
Bill Maher, host of HBO’s ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ is usually something of an opinionated instigator and not known for going with the flow.
He announced via social media on September 13th that he was planning to bring his show back on September 22nd.
Here’s Maher’s original statement:
“‘Real Time’ is coming back, unfortunately, sans writers or writing. It has been five months, and it is time to bring people back to work. The writers have important issues that I sympathize with, and hope they are addressed to their satisfaction, but they are not the only people with issues, problems, and concerns.”
There was predictable backlash from those who knew he would be crossing strike lines to work on the show himself, and Maher later announced that he would be pressing pause on the plan to return.
He will now be back on Friday this week.
This was Maher’s announcement:
“My writers and Real Time are back! See you Friday Night!”
(L to R) Steve Bannon and Bill Maher on ‘Real Time with Bill Maher.’ Photograph by Janet Van Ham/HBO.
Jimmy Kimmel to Host the 95th Oscars. Photo: ABC/Jeff Lipsky.
Given that the first time Jimmy Kimmel hosted the Oscars, we got the memorable ‘La La Land’/’Moonlight’ Best Picture mix-up, you might think he’d be wary of coming back.
But that was in 2017, and Kimmel actually came back in 2018 for a less dramatic ceremony. Now, after five years away, he will once more lead the show for the 95th Oscars, which will be held next year.
The announcement was made by Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner, the executive producers and showrunners for the next show.
Kimmel, who hosts popular late-night show ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ joins a three-peat club that also includes Jerry Lewis, Steve Martin, Conrad Nagel and David Niven. He has some way to go, however, to compete with the likes of Billy Crystal, who has wrangled the show nine times and Bob Hope, who hosted 11 times in his career.
“Being invited to host the Oscars for a third time is either a great honor or a trap,” Kimmel says in a statement. “Either way, I am grateful to the Academy for asking me so quickly after everyone good said no.”
“We’re super thrilled to have Jimmy score his hat trick on this global stage,” Weiss and Kirshner said in a joint statement. “We know he will be funny and ready for anything.”
“Jimmy is the perfect host to help us recognize the incredible artists and films of our 95th Oscars,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy president Janet Yang enthuse. “His love of movies, live TV expertise, and ability to connect with our global audiences will create an unforgettable experience for our millions of viewers worldwide.”
Chris Rock presents the Oscar® for Documentary Feature during the live ABC telecast of the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Photo Credit: Blaine Ohigashi / A.M.P.A.S.
Naturally, neither the Academy nor the producers are speaking as to whether anyone was asked before Kimmel, though there had been speculation that producers reached out to Chris Rock in the wake of last year’s Will Smithslap incident.
The Academy and those running the show have struggled with plummeting ratings and finding the right hosts in recent years. In 2020, the show relied on a variety of hosts after first choice Kevin Hart left the gig under fire for problematic attitudes on social media.
In 2021, the pandemic forced the ceremony out of its usual Dolby Theatre home and once again employed a changing roster of presenters instead of the traditional host for a muted ceremony. This year represented a return to a more normal ceremony, albeit with three hosts – Amy Schumer, Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes.
The 95th Oscar nominations will be announced on January 24th, 2023, with the ceremony to be held on March 12th.
Will Smith accepts the Oscar® for Actor in a Leading Role during the live ABC telecast of the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Photo Credit: Kyusung Gong / A.M.P.A.S.
CcMirhSw
Bryce Dallas Howard is following in her father Ron Howard’s footsteps with not just a successful acting career, but she’s also started directing. Last year she directed an episode of The Mandalorian, and now she’s given us the feature-length documentary ‘Dads.’
In this interview with Made in Hollywood, Howard talks about interviewing her father, who she says was more than a little nervous about the idea. She also shares how she got Jimmy Kimmel, Conan O’Brian, and Jimmy Fallon to appear in her film, which then helped her convince more famous fathers like Will Smith and Judd Apatow appear as well.
‘Dads’ will be available exclusively on Apple TV+ on June 19, 2020.
Why did Will Ferrell show up as Ron Burgundy on six late shows last night? To tell some stand-up, do a bit of ventriloquism … and promote the new season of his podcast on iHeart Radio.
The “world-renowned journalist” was live (or pre-taped) coast to coast on “Conan,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” “The Late Late Show With James Corden, “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
On “The Late Late Show,” Burgundy met a cougar, an alligator and a skunk, since he is, naturally, the official Animal Ambassador of the San Diego Zoo.
On “The Tonight Show,” he told Fallon his favorite animal was, of course, the meerkat. And his favorite article of clothing: “Brass knuckles.” And about the time he got into a knife fight with Kylie Minogue.
His ventriloquist act with a foul-mouthed dummy named J.J. Hipster on “Late Night” devolved into a one-sided fist fight after J.J. called him a “no-talent hack.”
Every segment was different, but Ferrell wore the same groovy turtleneck and leisure suit throughout. And repeated the phrase, “Well, it must have gone well, you invited me over to the couch.”
This is the first time a guest has been on every network late-night show. Alert the Guinness Book of World Records?
Ferrell didn’t make it to “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” “The Daily Show, “Desus & Mero,” or “Lights Out with David Spade.” And since John Oliver’s and Samantha Bee’s shows are weekly, well, Ron Burgundy is too classy for that.
Here’s a new twist on the remake trend on TV: Make it live.
ABC, Jimmy Kimmel, and legendary producer Norman Lear are teaming up for a live, 90-minute, star-studded production of Lear’s classic sitcoms “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons.”
Woody Harrelson will play Archie Bunker, with Marisa Tomei as wife Edith. Jamie Foxx and Wanda Sykes take on the roles of George and Louise Jefferson in the spinoff.
Ellie Kemper will play Archie and Edith’s daughter, Gloria Stivic; Will Ferrell is George and Louise’s friend, Tom Willis; and Justina Machado from Netflix’s recently canceled “One Day at a Time” reboot, will be George and Louise’s housekeeper, Florence Johnston.
Titled, “Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s All in the Family and The Jeffersons,” the live event is set to air May 22. It will recreate an episode from both of the shows. James Burrows (“Will and Grace”) will direct.
“The fact that a group of Oscar winners eagerly agreed to play these iconic characters is a testament to the greatness of these shows and their creator, Norman Lear. To be a part of this is a dream come true for me and for everyone involved,” Kimmel said.
“All in the Family” ran from 1971 to 1979 and centered on a working-class bigot and his family. Spinoff “The Jeffersons” followed a black couple “moving on up” from Queens to Manhattan after achieving financial success.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” has booked multiple stars from the latest installment in the franchise, “Avengers: Endgame,” to appear on the late-night show. They’ll all make guest appearances during the same week, starting on Monday, April 8.
Kimmel has been busy filming in Las Vegas this week, but the show will return home to Hollywood for the “Avengers: Endgame” episodes. The actors will participate in whatever fun Kimmel has up his sleeve, plus promote the star-studded superhero flick ahead of its launch. What a week it will be.
