Jimmy Kimmel’s Show Faces Plummeting Ratings After Controversial Return

Jimmy Kimmel’s Show Faces Plummeting Ratings After Controversial Return

Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night television program seems to be experiencing a sharp decline in viewership, raising concerns about its future.

ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was briefly suspended last month following the host’s inflammatory comments regarding the alleged assassin of Charlie Kirk. This backlash prompted Disney to halt the show temporarily. Once Disney reinstated the program, Kimmel attracted significant viewership for his much-anticipated comeback on September 23.

However, recent ratings data indicates a dramatic decrease in audience numbers. On Thursday, October 2, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” recorded an average of 1.9 million viewers, shedding a staggering 71% of the audience that tuned in for Kimmel’s return from suspension.

Key Demographic Hit Hard

The decline in viewership among the all-important demographic of adults aged 25-54 was even more pronounced. On Thursday night, Kimmel attracted only 265,000 viewers from this critical group, marking an 85% drop from the 1.7 million young adults who watched the show on September 23. This significant loss indicates that Kimmel’s current ratings are the lowest he has experienced among this demographic since the suspension.

Prior to the controversy, Kimmel averaged 1.6 million viewers in 2025. Therefore, should the ratings continue to fall, the show risks returning to pre-scandal viewership levels.

Competition in Late Night

Furthermore, ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” struggled to compete with Fox News’ “Gutfeld!” on the same night. Gutfeld averaged 2.8 million total viewers, surpassing Kimmel’s audience by 49%. In terms of the crucial demographic, Gutfeld attracted 370,000 viewers, giving him a 40% advantage in that segment as well.

The Triggering Remarks

Kimmel’s woes began last month when he erroneously suggested that Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect in the Charlie Kirk assassination case, was part of the “MAGA gang.” This claim garnered outrage as reports indicated that Robinson had a left-wing ideology, a fact reinforced in the indictment filed shortly after Kimmel’s comments.

During his segment, Kimmel stated, “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.” His remarks attracted criticism and scrutiny from the Federal Communications Commission, prompting Disney to take action.

Outrage and Protests

The controversy surrounding Kimmel’s remarks led to significant backlash from both sides of the political spectrum. Disney decided to suspend Kimmel’s show after Nexstar and Sinclair pulled airings of the program from their stations. Reports indicated that Kimmel had informed executives last week that he would not apologize for his comments, further escalating tensions.

During the suspension, Kimmel faced protests, with hundreds demonstrating outside Disney’s Burbank headquarters. Activists demanded that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” return to the airwaves. Protesters also gathered outside Kimmel’s studio on Hollywood Boulevard, chanting, “ABC bent the knee! No to the FCC!”

A Torn Return

Disney’s suspension lasted less than a week. Upon his return, Kimmel delivered a heartfelt monologue addressing the incident. Nevertheless, he stopped short of a full apology. Once he discussed the matter, Kimmel quickly resumed his critiques of President Donald Trump and other conservative figures on a nightly basis.

In the aftermath, supporters of Kirk voiced their discontent with Kimmel’s lack of accountability. They argued that the ABC host failed to acknowledge the implications of his statements.

Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet responded to Kimmel’s actions, stating, “Kimmel is an unrepentant liar who tried to blame Charlie’s assassination on the part of the country that just spent the last two weeks praying and holding vigils.” This statement highlights the ongoing frustration from Kirk’s supporters regarding Kimmel’s narrative.

The Future of Kimmel’s Career

As Kimmel’s ratings continue to plummet, the future of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” remains uncertain. The pressure is mounting for the long-time host to adapt his approach and rekindle audience interest. With fierce competition in late-night programming, Kimmel faces an uphill battle to reclaim his viewer base.

As the fallout from his controversial comments lingers, it is crucial for Kimmel to navigate the political landscape carefully. His ability to connect with viewers and place the incident behind him may ultimately define the next chapter of his career.

For now, it appears Kimmel has reached a critical juncture in his journey. Whether he can bounce back from this declining period remains to be seen, and audiences are watching closely.

Fox News Digital’s Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report.