Jimmy Kimmel will interview Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico “under unusual circumstances”, publishing the conversation directly to YouTube instead of broadcasting it on television during Jimmy Kimmel Live.
During Wednesday night’s episode, Kimmel explained that the decision was driven by concern over potential retaliation from the Trump administration’s FCC. He said the regulator had threatened his show, his network ABC, and its affiliates and local stations over traditional editorial decisions and guest bookings that it appeared to dislike.
Kimmel stated that, out of consideration for local stations, particularly ABC affiliates in Texas that would otherwise have to deal with the fallout, the interview with Talarico would not air on television. Instead, it would be posted on YouTube.
A pattern of interviews pushed online
The announcement arrives almost a year after Kimmel’s show was pulled off the air in response to threats from FCC chair Brendan Carr. In February, Stephen Colbert also had to move an interview with Talarico to YouTube, saying CBS had barred him from broadcasting it over concerns about upsetting the FCC, citing the regulator’s equal time rule.
The FCC also targeted The View following an interview with Talarico earlier this year. Both Jimmy Kimmel Live and The View are broadcast by ABC.
ABC’s legal challenge
Last month, ABC filed a lawsuit against the FCC, claiming the regulator had “waged a retaliatory campaign” against its networks. The complaint alleges the FCC punished ABC by threatening to revoke its broadcast licences.
The Talarico interview will be available on YouTube rather than on television.
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