“They can shut down his show, but they can’t shut us up” – Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar explode after ABC’s SHOCK move to axe Jimmy Kimmel, lashing out at executives as furious viewers demand the network cut them loose next.

The firing of Jimmy Kimmel has unleashed a media storm that refuses to die down, and now Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar have been dragged into the chaos. Both women fired back at critics with defiance, insisting ABC’s attempt to silence dissenting voices won’t work. Their remarks, however, only intensified calls from audiences who believe the network must apply the same rules to everyone. Behind the curtain, insiders claim ABC is scrambling to contain the firestorm while facing pressure from multiple sides. Could this controversy snowball into the largest shake-up daytime and late-night TV have ever seen? Or will the network double down and gamble its reputation on protecting its biggest personalities?

The next chapter is already taking shape – read the full story now before the bombshell drops.

A Stunning Decision That Shook Television

ABC’s announcement that Jimmy Kimmel had been abruptly pulled off the air sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry on Wednesday. The decision, described by insiders as both “sudden” and “explosive,” has already triggered a wider firestorm that threatens to engulf some of the network’s biggest stars.

The late-night host’s dismissal came after Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr blasted Kimmel’s comments about the accused killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Carr not only labeled Kimmel’s remarks “the sickest conduct possible” but also threatened to pursue regulatory consequences against ABC’s parent company, Disney, if the network failed to act.

Within hours, Nexstar, one of the nation’s largest operators of ABC affiliates, announced it would no longer air Jimmy Kimmel Live! for the “foreseeable future.” ABC followed with its own confirmation, stating that the show would be “pre-empted indefinitely.” In the world of network television, “indefinitely” often signals an end without a return.

But if ABC hoped the decision would draw a line under the controversy, the opposite has happened. Instead, the firing has unleashed a torrent of anger, divided audiences, and thrust Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar into the center of a storm many now believe could decide the future of network television itself.

Evelyn McGee-Colbert, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney attend the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 14 in Los Angeles. (Francis Specker/CBS via Getty Images)

The Comments That Lit the Fuse

The controversy began when Kimmel addressed the fallout from the shocking killing of Charlie Kirk. On air, he suggested that those blaming left-wing ideology for the actions of alleged shooter Tyler Robinson were attempting to “score political points.”

“The MAGA gang is desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them,” Kimmel said, “and doing everything they can to score political points from it. In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”

Critics immediately seized on his remarks, accusing him of minimizing the political motives behind Robinson’s attack. Utah Governor Spencer Cox later declared that Robinson was “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology,” while prosecutors released text messages in which the shooter allegedly vowed he had “had enough of Kirk’s hatred.”

Carr, the FCC chair, did not hold back. Speaking to podcaster Benny Johnson, he branded Kimmel’s monologue “disgusting” and hinted at license revocation if ABC did not punish its star. “These companies can find ways to change conduct and take actions on Kimmel,” he warned, adding that networks had an obligation to “operate in the public interest.”

By Wednesday evening, Kimmel’s career was in free fall.

Whoopi and Joy Push Back

If Kimmel’s firing shocked viewers, what happened next ignited an even bigger uproar. The following morning on The View, co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar came out swinging.

“They can fire Jimmy, but they can’t silence us,” Goldberg thundered, drawing cheers and gasps from the studio audience. Behar went further, accusing ABC of hypocrisy and warning that the network had “lost it” by bowing to political pressure.

Their remarks quickly went viral. Clips of the exchange racked up millions of views within hours, sparking debates across social media and fueling a growing campaign demanding ABC hold Goldberg and Behar to the same standard.

Critics argue that both women have made controversial on-air remarks in the past but have never faced consequences as severe as those now imposed on Kimmel. “If Jimmy Kimmel gets fired for words, why not them?” one commentator asked on X. “The double standard is glaring.”

Supporters of Goldberg and Behar, however, insist their fiery defense is a necessary stand against censorship. “They are saying what millions of us feel — you can’t just silence people for speaking uncomfortable truths,” one fan posted.

Backstage Chaos and Industry Panic

Behind the cameras, ABC is reportedly in crisis mode. Insiders describe an atmosphere of panic, with executives torn between defusing the outrage and protecting the network’s biggest personalities.

“Management thought removing Kimmel would calm things down. Instead, it poured gasoline on the fire,” one senior producer admitted. “Now they’re looking at Whoopi and Joy, wondering if they’ve created an even bigger problem for themselves.”

The situation is further complicated by whispers that other names could soon be dragged into the chaos. With Paramount already having canceled Stephen Colbert’s Late Show earlier this year — a move that was officially blamed on finances but widely speculated to be politically motivated — some in the industry fear the networks are entering a dangerous new era of preemptive silencing.

“There’s a chill running through late-night and daytime television right now,” one media analyst observed. “Hosts are asking themselves: what can I say without risking my job? If you start pulling shows every time a comment sparks outrage, soon there will be no one left to host them.”

For ABC, the stakes could not be higher. Advertising contracts, affiliate deals, and the network’s reputation are all on the line. If more stars are forced out, the ripple effects could destabilize the entire schedule, costing millions in lost revenue and alienating viewers already disillusioned with traditional broadcast TV.

The Future of ABC — and Television

As the controversy rages, the central question remains: who gets punished and who gets protected?

Jimmy Kimmel, once one of ABC’s most bankable stars, is gone in an instant. Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar remain on air, defiantly daring the network to come for them next. Viewers are left to wonder whether ABC is applying rules consistently, or whether decisions are driven by fear, favoritism, and corporate politics.

For audiences, the spectacle has become more than a dispute over one comedian’s comments. It now represents a broader battle over accountability, free speech, and double standards in American media.

“This isn’t just about Jimmy Kimmel anymore,” one industry insider warned. “This is about whether any star, no matter how powerful, is truly untouchable. ABC has opened a door they may not be able to close.”

With outrage still building and calls growing for Goldberg and Behar to face the same fate, the crisis shows no signs of slowing. Instead, the drama is accelerating, threatening to engulf not just ABC but the future of television itself.

As one producer put it: “We are witnessing the beginning of a purge. No one knows who will be next, but everyone knows this story is far from over.”