Jimmy Kimmel’s Interview with James Talarico Moved to YouTube Due to FCC Concerns

Jimmy Kimmel announced during his Wednesday night monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that his interview with Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico will not air on television due to threats from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). He stated that concerns raised by the FCC have led him and ABC to relocate the interview to YouTube.

In his announcement, Kimmel explained that these threats were based on traditional editorial and guest booking decisions that the FCC, under President Donald Trump’s administration, disapproves of. These threats also extend to ABC, its affiliates, and local stations. Kimmel expressed consideration for local ABC stations, particularly in Texas, which might face challenges due to these threats from the FCC.

Concerns about the FCC’s impact on network licenses prompted Kimmel to opt for posting the interview on YouTube. The decision follows similar actions by late-night host Stephen Colbert, who also faced limitations due to the FCC’s “equal time” rules when interviewing Talarico.

Kimmel highlighted Republican anxieties over the upcoming midterm elections, noting that polls show Talarico narrowly leading Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, providing Democrats a strong chance to win a Senate seat in Texas. This outcome could affect the Republican majority in the Senate.

“You know, for a lot of years, for the whole 20-plus years of our show in fact, I’ve been interviewing Americans who are running for office with no problem at all,” Kimmel said. He recalled past interviews with candidates like Donald Trump, noting a contrast in Trump’s attitudes then compared to now as president.

Kimmel remarked that the threats from the FCC mark a change in the current broadcasting environment.

His interview with Talarico will be available on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! YouTube channel for viewers interested in learning more about the Senate candidate.

Kimmel emphasized the importance of registering to vote in the upcoming elections, underscoring that public participation in voting is crucial.