Kimmel says Talarico interview pulled after FCC threat
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Jimmy Kimmel said his James Talarico interview will not air on TV, citing FCC threats.
The move puts a Texas Senate candidate's sit-down on YouTube instead of broadcast.
Background
Kimmel said the decision came from concerns that a politically motivated FCC has continually threatened ABC station licenses, and he cited consideration for ABC affiliates in Texas. He said the interview would be posted on YouTube rather than broadcast. The episode follows a similar case in February, when CBS lawyers barred Stephen Colbert from airing a Talarico interview, after which the campaign raised $2.5 million in 24 hours and the YouTube clip drew 9.5 million views.
How it unfolded
- February 2026CBS lawyers barred Stephen Colbert from airing an interview with Talarico, in what Variety described as a preemptive bow to FCC pressure over the agency's push to apply its 'equal time' rule to late-night talk shows.
- Sep 9, 2026Kimmel announced on Wednesday night that his show would not air his upcoming interview with Talarico on television.
- Sep 10, 2026Reports said the interview would be posted on YouTube instead, with Kimmel citing FCC threats to ABC station licenses and consideration for ABC affiliates in Texas.
Who’s saying what
- Kimmel
- Kimmel said the FCC has threatened him, his show, ABC, its affiliates and local stations based on editorial decisions and guest bookings they don't like, and that the interview will be posted on YouTube instead of airing on TV.
- Analysts
- The New Republic framed the episode as President Trump attempting to censor Kimmel, while Variety and The Hollywood Reporter described it as a move to avoid FCC hassle amid an ongoing ABC-FCC battle.
Still unverified
The specific nature and details of the FCC threats are unspecified in the material; the characterization of the FCC as 'politically motivated' is Kimmel's claim, and The New Republic's 'censorship attack' framing is opinion.