Jimmy Kimmel says show wont air James Talarico interview on TV, citing FCC threats
Jimmy Kimmel announced on Wednesday night that his show would not air his upcoming interview with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico on television, citing the Trump administration’s threats against ABC.Kimmel said that during President Donald Trump’s administration, the Federal Communications Commission “has threatened me, threatened our show, threatened our network, ABC, our affiliates, our local stations, based on simple, traditional editorial decisions, guest bookings it would seem they don’t like.”“Out of consideration for our local stations, especially our ABC affiliates in Texas, who would have to deal with this nonsense, my interview tomorrow with James Talarico will not air on television,” he said.The interview, set for Thursday, will be posted on the YouTube channel for “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” instead, he explained.
Talarico, a Democratic Texas state representative, is locked in a competitive Senate race with Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton.Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico.Brandon Bell / Getty Images fileThe Talarico campaign and the FCC did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment.
ABC Entertainment declined to comment.Kimmel’s announcement marks the latest instance of pressure from the administration affecting content aired on an entertainment show.
Stephen Colbert said in February that CBS did not air his interview with Talarico out of fear of the FCC.“He was supposed to be here, but we were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers, who called us directly, that we could not have him on the broadcast,” Colbert said at the time.CBS said in a February statement that “the show was provided legal guidance that the broadcast could trigger the FCC equal-time rule for two other candidates.”Trump has publicly targeted Kimmel in the past, calling multiple times for the comedian to be fired.About a year ago, ABC pulled Kimmel’s show following the comedian’s com...