Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Talarico-Kimmel Interview Triggers Fresh Clash With FCC Chair Carr
Jimmy Kimmel interviewed James Talarico, who is running for the U.S. Senate in Texas.
ABC decided not to show the interview on regular broadcast television.
Instead, it put the interview on YouTube.
This was because of concerns about rules for political candidates.
These rules may require broadcasters to offer similar opportunities to opposing candidates.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said Talarico was using the interview to gain attention and donations.
He also posted a meme making fun of Kimmel and Talarico.
Kimmel objected to the pressure surrounding the interview.
Talarico said the government was interfering with political speech.
ABC moved Jimmy Kimmel’s interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico from broadcast television to YouTube.
The decision was linked to concerns about the Federal Communications Commission’s interpretation of equal-time requirements.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr accused Talarico of staging a publicity effort to attract clicks and campaign donations.
Carr mocked Kimmel and Talarico in an image posted on his X profile.
Kimmel criticized the regulatory pressure, while Talarico said the government was interfering with political speech.
- Who
- Jimmy Kimmel, James Talarico, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, and ABC are involved.
- What
- An interview with Talarico was moved from ABC’s broadcast schedule to YouTube, prompting a dispute over political broadcasting rules.
- When
- The articles do not specify when the interview or dispute occurred.
- Where
- The dispute concerns U.S. broadcasting and Talarico’s Texas Senate campaign; the interview was made available on YouTube.
- Why
- ABC was concerned that airing the interview could raise issues under the FCC’s equal-time requirements for political candidates.
Critics of Regulatory Pressure
FCC Chairman’s Position
Why the interview was moved
Critics of Regulatory Pressure
Kimmel and Talarico viewed the decision and surrounding pressure as interference with political speech.
FCC Chairman’s Position
Carr and the FCC focused on equal-time requirements that may apply to broadcast talk shows featuring political candidates.
Talarico’s motivation
Critics of Regulatory Pressure
Talarico presented the dispute as a government restriction on his political speech.
FCC Chairman’s Position
Carr accused Talarico of repeating a publicity tactic to generate clicks and campaign donations.
- Interview host
- Jimmy Kimmel
- Interview guest
- James Talarico, a Texas Democrat running for the U.S. Senate
- Broadcast decision
- ABC moved the interview from its broadcast schedule to YouTube
- Regulatory issue
- The FCC’s interpretation of equal-time requirements
- FCC chairman
- Brendan Carr
- Carr’s accusation
- He said Talarico was seeking attention, clicks, and campaign donations
- Response
- Kimmel criticized regulatory pressure, while Talarico accused the government of interfering with political speech