Jimmy Kimmel also punts interview with Texas candidate James Talarico to YouTube
Earlier this year, Stephen Colbert faced a similar issue with the same senate candidate.
This is the second time in 2026 that Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico's interview has been moved to YouTube instead of a traditional TV broadcast due to regulatory issues. Jimmy Kimmel revealed on his Wednesday broadcast that the interview with Talarico would be shifted to YouTube "out of consideration for our local stations, especially our ABC affiliates in Texas who would have to deal with this nonsense."
Kimmel expressed confusion about why the FCC, under the current administration, has been threatening his show and network based on routine editorial decisions regarding guest bookings. ABC has been on the receiving end of these threats, with the FCC reportedly considering pulling the network's broadcast licenses and investigating other shows like The View.
This situation recalls a similar incident from less than seven months ago when Talarico appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, where the interview was ultimately postponed at the last minute—an outcome Colbert criticized. While CBS is owned by Paramount, it appears that ABC owner Disney handled the situation more favorably in comparison. Kimmel's planned interview with Talarico is set to air on YouTube later tonight.
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