Jimmy Kimmel announced Wednesday that his upcoming interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico will be exclusively available on YouTube, citing threats from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) against his show and ABC affiliates. The interview was scheduled to air Thursday.
Kimmel stated that for over 20 years, he has interviewed political candidates without issue, listing figures like Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz, and Donald Trump. However, he explained that due to FCC threats directed at his show, the network ABC, and local stations, the interview with Talarico would not be broadcast on television. "Out of consideration for our local stations, especially our ABC affiliates in Texas who have to deal with this nonsense, my interview tomorrow with James Talarico will not air on television. It will be posted on YouTube instead," Kimmel said.
This situation draws parallels to a February incident involving former late-night host Stephen Colbert. Colbert's show, "The Late Show," also moved an interview with Talarico to its YouTube channel, with CBS at the time stating that the broadcast could trigger the FCC's equal-time rule for other candidates. Colbert indicated that lawyers advised against airing the interview on television to avoid complex equal-time obligations for candidates like Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
Jasmine Crockett, who lost the Senate primary to Talarico, suggested that the controversy likely benefited Talarico's campaign, remarking that resisting such perceived pressure could backfire. She also noted that her campaign did not receive a request for equal time from Colbert's show.
Kimmel also referenced a past clash with FCC Chair Brendan Carr in 2025, implying that regulatory actions have been used to challenge his show's longevity. He urged viewers to register to vote before the November elections.