Jimmy Kimmel's cousin and long-time collaborator has hinted that more dramatic revelations are coming after Jimmy Kimmel Live! was suspended indefinitely by ABC last week. Sal Iacono suggested on The Bill Simmons Podcast that "a couple bombshells" remain unrevealed, while expressing concern for staff whose jobs hang in the balance.
The 54-year-old writer and performer was reluctant to discuss details out of respect for colleagues at risk. He said: "I wish I could say anything. There are a couple bombshells still there. We both know too much."
Iacono's comments suggest the controversy that began with Kimmel's political commentary about Charlie Kirk's assassination is far from over. The show was pulled after the late-night host made remarks about the political response to the incident, drawing swift condemnation from conservative figures.
The Political Firestorm
Kimmel sparked outrage during his Monday night monologue when he criticised how some politicians responded to Kirk's death. He showed footage of Donald Trump discussing White House construction when asked about grieving the loss, joking: "This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend."
FCC Chair Brendan Carr subsequently pressured broadcasters, leading Nexstar and Sinclair to pull programming before ABC announced the indefinite suspension. The Guardian reports that Nexstar's pending acquisition deal requiring FCC approval created additional leverage for the pressure campaign.
The suspension prompted an unprecedented response from across the political spectrum, with both John Oliver and Ted Cruz condemning what they described as government overreach.
Rare Bipartisan Pushback
John Oliver delivered a detailed analysis of the government pressure tactics, comparing them to "Goodfellas-style" intimidation. Meanwhile, conservative Senator Ted Cruz criticised the suspension on constitutional grounds, creating an unusual alliance between traditionally opposing voices.
The international context adds weight to these concerns, with The Guardian noting similar patterns in Hungary and Russia where authoritarian governments have targeted comedians and satirists.
Iacono remained optimistic about Kimmel's future, suggesting the host might even "want to be a pop-up chef and start making barbecue around the South Bay area." However, his hint about unrevealed developments suggests the story continues to evolve behind the scenes.
Sources used: "Daily Mail", "The Guardian", "Independent" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
