The “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” staff was shocked over ABC pulling the late-night show because of the host’s comments about Charlie Kirk, according to CNN.
A source “with knowledge of the events” told the outlet that Kimmel’s staff members were “working as usual on Wednesday afternoon, holding calls with talent publicists regarding upcoming episodes” right before the decision was announced.
CNN noted that ABC staffers “were also stunned” by the move, considering Kimmel’s show has been a staple for ABC since it began airing in 2004, and that the host’s wife, Molly McNearney, serves as a head writer and executive producer on the show.
“We are all shell-shocked,” a celebrity publicist told CNN about ABC’s decision.
According to CNN, Kimmel’s guests booked on Wednesday’s episode were already on their way to El Capitan Theater in Hollywood before the show’s suspension was announced.
One of the planned guests was Wanda Sykes, who spoke out about the situation in an Instagram video later that night.
“So, I’m in a full face of makeup because I was supposed to go over and have a chat with my friend Jimmy Kimmel on his show,” the comedian, 61, said. “But as you have heard by now, ‘The Jimmy Kimmel Show’ has been pulled indefinitely — abruptly — because of complaints from the Trump administration.”
“Hey, for those of you who pray…now’s the time to do it,” she added. “Love you, Jimmy.”
A source told CNN that while “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is not officially “canceled,” there’s “no timeline as to when the show may return.”
The Post has reached out to reps for Kimmel, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and ABC for comment.
Kimmel, for his part, is reportedly “absolutely f–king livid” by the Disney-owned network’s decision.
Sources added that ABC’s move is the “last straw” for Kimmel, who is now “actively looking” to break out of his contract and end his relationship with the network.
“This is clearly the government overreaching. There’s no such thing as free speech in America, if the government can lean on companies to stop any content they don’t like,” one producer told the Daily Mail.
Another source insisted they’ve “never seen Kimmel this angry.”
Kimmel sparked backlash by saying that the “MAGA gang” was trying to score political points off Kirk’s assassination.
The 31-year-old conservative activist was fatally shot with a single bullet to the neck while speaking at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem last Wednesday. Alleged assassin Tyler Robinson, 22, has since been arrested and charged.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to characterize this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said during his monologue on Monday night’s show.
Nexstar Media Group, the major broadcast company that serves as a primary affiliate for ABC, confirmed that it would “preempt” Kimmel’s program in the wake of his remarks.
“Nexstar strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets,” the company said in a press release.
Kimmel has not personally spoken out about his show being indefinitely axed.
The host was spotted rushing into a car outside his studio Wednesday night after ABC’s decision was announced.
Meanwhile, Kimmel’s sidekick, Guillermo Rodriguez, appeared downcast while standing in the back alley of the studio.
