Jimmy Kimmel removed a scheduled interview with Talarico from a national broadcast on September 10, 2026, citing concerns that the segment would create unnecessary difficulties for ABC affiliates in Texas.
The decision was made after the show's producers and network officials reviewed the content of the planned interview and determined that it could pose challenges for local stations. Kimmel explained that the removal was intended to protect the Texas ABC stations from potential complications that might arise from airing the material.
The interview had originally been slated for a nationwide audience, but the focus on Texas markets prompted a reassessment. Network executives concluded that the segment could affect the operations or relationships of the ABC affiliates in the state, leading to the preemptive cancellation.
Both Jimmy Kimmel and Talarico were aware of the change before the broadcast went live. The move reflects a precautionary approach taken by the network to avoid any unintended impact on its local partners in Texas. No further details about the interview's content or the specific nature of the anticipated difficulties were disclosed.
The cancellation underscores the sensitivity networks sometimes display toward regional affiliates when programming decisions intersect with local concerns. By pulling the interview, Kimmel and the network aimed to maintain smooth cooperation with the Texas ABC stations and to prevent any disruption that might have resulted from airing the segment.
The incident adds to a series of recent programming adjustments made by national broadcasters in response to affiliate feedback. While the interview will not be aired as originally planned, the decision highlights the balance networks seek between national content and the operational realities of local stations.