The sudden cancellation of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" has sent shockwaves through ABC and caused chaos behind the scenes at "The View."
Insiders say staff and hosts are nervous, worried about their jobs, and unsure how to handle the controversy.
With the FCC threatening to target ABC after Jimmy Kimmel's comments, fears of censorship and retaliation have taken over.
As one source put it, "There's definitely a difficult dynamic going on," and everyone at the network is watching closely.
The View Hosts Stay Silent On Jimmy Kimmel's Suspension
When "The View" aired on Thursday, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, and Alyssa Farah Griffin didn't mention Jimmy Kimmel's suspension.
Instead, they discussed the Epstein investigation and other political stories, which left fans frustrated. Many viewers believed they had been told to avoid the scandal.
A production insider explained that the silence was deliberate, saying the panel avoided discussing it because they were at the same network.
"The View is not going to discuss Jimmy Kimmel's suspension because they're at the same network. They're not going to trash their own. It's a general rule at ABC not to trash other shows," they told the Daily Mail.
Behind the scenes, however, the mood was tense, with some panelists disagreeing over whether they should address the issue at all.
Staff Fear For Their Jobs
The uncertainty has left many staffers rattled. According to one insider, panic has spread across ABC shows, with employees holding their breath to see what comes next.
Some are worried about strict new limits on what can be said on air.
As one source explained, people feel like censorship is tightening. "After Kimmel's suspension, they're going to have to be extra careful about what they say on national TV," they shared.
One staffer even admitted they had packed up their belongings just in case.
"I'm taking a lot of my personal stuff home tonight because who knows what's going to happen," the insider revealed.
They explained that they wanted to be able to make a quick exit if needed, adding that it was simply too unpredictable to feel safe.
Hosts Reportedly Split Over Speaking Out About Jimmy Kimmel's Suspension
Meanwhile, sources have revealed that the panel of "The View" is split on whether to defend Kimmel. While some want to speak out, others feel it is too risky.
One insider explained that certain co-hosts wanted to support him but feared being canceled themselves.
Another source added, "The women at The View are more surprised that they haven't been taken off the air already."
For now, the panel has reportedly decided to stay quiet to protect their well-being, with one source saying they planned to "see where everything stands next week when the dust settles."
The fear of suspension has loomed large, with another insider pointing out that speaking up could give ABC "another reason to suspend them as well."
Details Of Jimmy Kimmel's Suspension
As The Blast reported, Kimmel's suspension followed remarks he made about Charlie Kirk's assassination and Donald Trump's reaction.
During his broadcast, the 57-year-old said, "The MAGA Gang are desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it."
The "Boss Baby" star also mocked Trump, adding, "This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish."
The comments quickly drew backlash, with FCC chair Brendan Carr threatening to revoke ABC's affiliate licenses.
Sinclair, the media group behind the decision, reportedly demanded that Kimmel donate to Turning Point USA and issue a public apology before being allowed back on-air.
Kimmel Declares ABC 'Dead' To Him
As staffers at "The View" panic about their own future, insiders say Jimmy Kimmel himself is furious with how ABC handled the scandal.
According to one source, "ABC right now is completely dead to Jimmy. For everything he has done for ABC, to host the Oscars and champion the company for years to get here is the biggest slap in the face of his entire life and career."
The insider explained that the host has no intention of donating or apologizing to Turning Point USA, even if it means losing his late-night show for good.
"He would only return to see the people who work for him be OK," the source added, emphasizing that the "Smurfs" star is more worried about his staff than his own future.
For now, he is said to be actively looking for ways out of his contract, ready to take his talents elsewhere.