Jimmy Kimmel and ABC fail to reach agreement on new deal for late-night show return.

Leadership at ABC is reportedly eager to facilitate the return of comedian Jimmy Kimmel to his late-night program, “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” However, recent meetings have not yielded a clear path for his comeback. Kimmel met with Dana Walden, Disney TV executive, and Rob Mills, chief of ABC’s late-night division, in Los Angeles. While the meeting was described as cordial, it concluded without a resolution regarding Kimmel’s return to the show, according to Media News Source.

In the wake of a backlash from right-wing commentators pertaining to Kimmel’s comments, he was preparing to address the issue but was not inclined to issue an apology. Instead, he intended to focus on President Donald Trump’s staunch supporters during his monologue, which one source characterized as “very hot.” Disney has reportedly taken a cautious stance, suggesting that Kimmel’s comments may have been excessive.

Kimmel’s recent suspension occurred after Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr pressured local affiliates to take action against him for remarks he made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was tragically killed on September 10. Carr publicly stated that there were consequences for Kimmel, prompting swift action from companies that own several local television stations, including Nexstar and Sinclair. Hours after Carr’s comments, both companies announced they would preempt Kimmel’s show, thereby pushing ABC to reconsider its broadcasting strategy. Nexstar currently seeks Federal Communications Commission approval for a significant .2 billion merger with Tegna.

The network has not issued further statements since announcing Kimmel’s indefinite suspension, save for a brief initial comment. Notably, ABC affiliate owner Sinclair Broadcasting has demanded that Kimmel apologize to Kirk’s family and contribute to the conservative organization he founded, Turning Point USA. Sinclair’s vice chairman, Jason Smith, has publicly criticized Kimmel’s comments as deeply insensitive and stated that Kimmel’s show will not return to their affiliates until they feel confident that appropriate measures have been taken.

Meanwhile, Sinclair is airing a one-hour tribute to Kirk in Kimmel’s time slot, which will be made available to all ABC affiliates. However, the tribute will not be shown on 6abc, ABC’s owned-and-operated station, which will instead air a rerun of “Celebrity Family Feud.”

As developments unfold regarding Kimmel’s potential return and the surrounding controversy, it remains unclear whether he will adjust his stance or continue to face backlash from both television executives and the public. This ongoing situation underscores the complex interplay of entertainment, politics, and corporate responsibility in the current media landscape.