ABC abruptly canceled the November 6 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live after the host referred to personal matters. The decision was made public late Thursday afternoon, just hours before the broadcast.
The cancellation disrupted plans for the show’s 21st season, which had scheduled appearances from actor David Duchovny, singer Madison Beer, and Stranger Things star Joe Keery. Instead, ABC filled the slot with a rerun.
"Last-minute cancellations rarely happen in network television late-night slots."
Such unexpected changes are unusual for late-night programming, which operates on tight schedules shaped by advertising and affiliate obligations. Jimmy Kimmel Live typically records episodes Monday through Thursday at 4:30 PM PST, and Thursday’s cancellation added to ongoing scrutiny surrounding network late-night shows in 2025.
Network representatives did not share details about the reasons for the cancellation but emphasized that it was a personal matter involving the host. ABC’s quick change underscored the rarity of such disruptions in a format known for consistency.
The episode remains one of the few last-minute cancellations in the show’s current season, marking a rare instance of unpredictability in a long-running late-night schedule.
Jimmy Kimmel Live’s sudden cancellation due to personal reasons highlights the rarity of schedule changes in tightly run network late-night television.