Top Eight Late-Night TV Scandals

The summer has been tumultuous for late-night television enthusiasts.

On September 17, ABC took 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' off its schedule following extensive criticism of Kimmel's remarks about activist Charlie Kirk's demise and President Trump's reaction to it.

Responding to the backlash from both political sides, Disney, the parent company of ABC, declared on Monday, September 22, that Kimmel's show would be back on air by September 23.

Kimmel Temporarily Removed Following Remarks

Jimmy Kimmel's tenure as host of his own show on ABC began in 2003. However, his comments on September 15 regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk led to his show being pulled.

Amidst a public outcry, particularly from conservatives, Brendan Carr, head of the Federal Communications Commission, urged Disney to act against Kimmel. This resulted in a few networks choosing not to broadcast his show.

Disney commented that Kimmel's show would be off-air indefinitely but later confirmed a return on September 23.

Previous Controversies for Kimmel

Kimmel's run-ins with controversy are not limited to this instance. In 2020, he apologized for using blackface in comedy sketches from the '90s.

During the heightened tension of racial issues in 2020, Kimmel expressed regret for his actions, stating his growth over the decades.

Stephen Colbert and the Controversial Cancellation

In July 2025, it was revealed that CBS's 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' would be canceled the following year. Despite a general decline in late-night viewership, Colbert's show remained the most popular.

Colbert had recently criticized a $16 million settlement paid by CBS's parent company Paramount to Trump regarding a '60 Minutes' lawsuit, causing speculation over the show's cancellation.

Despite public concern, CBS attributed the cancellation to financial reasons.

Fallon's Infamous Trump Hair Ruffle

In 2016, Jimmy Fallon found himself embroiled in controversy after a soft interview with Donald Trump where he playfully tousled the candidate's hair.

Fallon later expressed regret over the segment, stating it was not meant to 'humanize' Trump.

Bill Maher's Slip-Up

In 2017, Bill Maher faced backlash after using a racial slur on air during a live segment.

Though he continued on HBO, Maher issued an apology for the offensive comment.

The Leno and O'Brien Tonight Show Feud

In 2010, a conflict arose between Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien over the airing times of 'The Tonight Show,' leading to O'Brien's departure.

O'Brien received a considerable settlement and went on to host 'Conan' on TBS for a decade.

Letterman's Blackmail and Admission

In 2009, David Letterman publicized an attempted blackmail regarding affairs he had with female staff over the years.

The blackmailer was caught and served time, while Letterman acknowledged the scandal on-air.

James Corden's NYC Restaurant Ban

In October 2022, a feud between James Corden and an NYC restaurant owner escalated online after Corden allegedly mistreated the staff.

Corden apologized, and the ban was lifted, drawing widespread attention to the incident.