“We’re Done With It” ABC Shows Cast QUITS After Disney Fired Jimmy Kimmel | HO~

In a move that has shocked Hollywood and ignited a fierce debate over free speech, Disney abruptly fired Jimmy Kimmel from his long-running late night slot on ABC, triggering a wave of confusion, anger, and resignations among cast and crew across the network.

The fallout from Kimmel’s removal has exposed deep fractures within ABC, raising urgent questions about the future of network television, creative independence, and the boundaries of corporate control in the entertainment industry.

The Broadcast That Changed Everything

The chain reaction began with a single broadcast. During a recent episode, Jimmy Kimmel addressed a controversial political moment, referencing right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk in the aftermath of a violent incident.

Kimmel’s pointed criticism of conservative media’s attempts to shift the narrative around the perpetrator struck a nerve. His remarks, which included, “we hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them,” were seen by Disney executives as a liability.

Within hours, Disney acted. The taping of Kimmel’s show was canceled without warning, and staff were left in the dark. “They waited for everyone to come in to work today… they didn’t tell us what had happened. They just said that the show was cancelled,” one crew member recounted. The word “indefinitely”—which quickly became synonymous with “forever”—spread through the industry and across social media.

Corporate Censorship or Risk Management?
Disney and ABC characterized the decision as preventative, citing fears of litigation and political escalation. Executives moved swiftly to shield the company from accusations of endorsing or downplaying Kimmel’s inflammatory remarks. Industry analysts noted that the decision was as much about appeasing advertisers as it was about insulating Disney from political backlash.

The controversy was amplified when former President Donald Trump weighed in, arguing that Kimmel’s firing was justified not primarily for his remarks, but for “bad ratings” and “lack of talent.” Trump’s comments, widely covered in the media, attempted to shift the narrative from politics to performance, but only intensified the sense that Kimmel’s removal was a political flashpoint.

Observers pointed to Kimmel’s history of using satire to target political figures, but this episode marked a departure—referencing the murder of a specific individual and tying it to partisan groups. “This is government censorship. This is the Trump administration coming after people who speak out against him,” one progressive commentator argued.

Shockwaves Through ABC: “We’re Done With It”

The abrupt firing sent shockwaves through ABC. Production staff, cast members, and contributors across multiple shows expressed confusion and frustration. Many first learned of the cancellation not through internal channels, but via social media. “Initially, my concern was, you know, I hope everyone’s okay. No one got injured. As they told us the show was being cancelled at the same time online, they announced that it was indefinitely, which we can probably assume is forever,” a staff member said.

The phrase “We’re done with it” began circulating among staff, cast, and producers, encapsulating their exhaustion with what they described as a culture of fear, abrupt decision-making, and the erosion of creative independence. For years, ABC had relied on stability in its franchises—Grey’s Anatomy, The View, Good Morning America, and its late night lineup. But Disney’s handling of Kimmel’s firing signaled that even long-standing figures could be removed without warning or consultation.

Behind the scenes, producers feared that Disney’s decision set a precedent that could be applied to anyone. Leaks from internal conversations suggested that some cast members threatened to exit if politically charged commentary continued to be grounds for termination.

The ripple effects extended to ABC’s scripted programming, where actors and crew worried about the precedent of abrupt cancellations and the disregard for staff who had built careers around network stability.

The Wave of Resignations

The resignations began with Kimmel’s own production team. Some walked out in solidarity, others left because the sudden cancellation disrupted their employment with no alternative assignments. The lack of transition planning created an environment in which staff felt abandoned, and resignations became both protest and necessity.

Soon, higher-profile figures joined the movement. Contributors to ABC’s news and talk segments signaled dissatisfaction, and producers with long tenures began submitting resignations, citing frustration with the erosion of trust between talent and management. While not all departures were publicized, industry outlets began reporting that Disney faced an internal crisis, with multiple shows struggling to retain staff.

The phrase “We’re done with it” gained momentum as departing employees used it in statements and interviews. It became shorthand for rejecting the working culture Disney had imposed. Commentators compared the walkouts to earlier moments in television history when cast or crew disputes reshaped the industry, drawing parallels to high-profile revolts at networks like NBC and CBS.

Advertisers began expressing concern as resignations mounted. For sponsors, the appeal of network television lies in its stability and predictability. The perception that ABC was experiencing internal collapse undermined confidence. Some advertisers paused commitments, waiting to see whether Disney could restore order.

Disney attempted to contain the fallout, issuing statements emphasizing that ABC remained committed to its shows and would find replacements where necessary. Yet, these reassurances did little to stem the tide. Staff argued that the central issue was not logistics, but trust. They pointed to the handling of Kimmel’s firing as evidence that management valued corporate image over loyalty and communication.

Industry-Wide Implications: The Decline of Late Night and Network TV

The Kimmel controversy has far-reaching consequences for late night television, Disney, and the entertainment industry as a whole. Once the centerpiece of American broadcasting, late night shows have seen their cultural relevance eroded by digital platforms.

Audiences increasingly consume highlights via short-form video rather than watching full episodes. Kimmel’s removal highlighted this structural decline. Analysts pointed out that if a host with nearly two decades of tenure could be removed without hesitation, it indicated the diminishing value networks place on late night figures.

Disney’s decision effectively acknowledged that late night shows no longer justified the risks associated with political commentary. Rival networks like NBC, CBS, and Fox began evaluating their own late night lineups, weighing the balance between satire and liability.

Executives considered whether other long-running hosts might face similar vulnerabilities if controversies escalated. The consensus emerged that corporate oversight would grow stricter, with hosts under pressure to avoid statements that could trigger advertiser concerns or political backlash.

For ABC, the abrupt removal of Kimmel undermined its stability. Viewers accustomed to established figures were reminded that even the most recognizable faces could disappear overnight.

This perception weakened ABC’s ability to project reliability to audiences and advertisers. Financial consequences compounded the reputational damage, as advertisers delayed commitments and ratings for several ABC programs dipped amid perceptions of corporate dysfunction.

Disney’s Vulnerabilities Exposed

The crisis has exposed Disney’s vulnerabilities as a media powerhouse. In recent years, the corporation has faced financial challenges, including underperforming box office releases, streaming losses, and declining stock prices. The Kimmel controversy revealed weaknesses in Disney’s leadership and management of its media properties. Rather than appearing decisive, the abrupt firing and subsequent resignations suggested instability.

Competing platforms such as Netflix, Amazon, and Apple sought to capitalize on Disney’s vulnerability by courting talent dissatisfied with network oversight. Agents representing ABC cast and crew began negotiating opportunities with streaming services that offered greater creative freedom. The resignations accelerated a migration of talent away from traditional networks toward digital platforms.

The Battle Over Free Speech and Creative Independence

The Kimmel firing has reignited debates over the boundaries of free expression on mainstream platforms. For years, late night hosts have played dual roles as entertainers and political commentators.

Their monologues shaped public discourse, provided comic relief, and reflected cultural tensions. By removing Kimmel for politically charged remarks, Disney redefined the boundaries of acceptable commentary on corporate television.

Critics argue that this represents a narrowing of free expression. Supporters counter that corporations have a responsibility to prevent inflammatory rhetoric from reaching mass audiences.

The resignations amplified this cultural shift, with staff and cast members rejecting an environment where creative independence was subordinate to corporate caution. The walkouts at ABC became part of a larger narrative of resistance against corporate dominance in the entertainment industry.

The Legacy of “We’re Done With It”

The phrase “We’re done with it” has crystallized into a cultural symbol of resistance to corporate overreach. The legacy of the Kimmel firing lies not only in the removal of one host, but in its demonstration of how fragile network television has become.

Once central to American culture, late night programming now survives in fragments consumed online. Once stable networks now appear volatile, dependent on advertisers, and vulnerable to political backlash. Once loyal staff now prioritize autonomy over tradition.

For Disney, the incident underscored the difficulty of balancing cultural influence with corporate risk management. In attempting to protect itself from liability, the company triggered a wider rebellion that damaged its brand and accelerated talent flight.

For ABC, the resignations left holes in programming and trust that cannot be easily repaired. For the industry, the controversy confirmed that the future lies not in preserving late night traditions, but in adapting to digital realities.

As the entertainment landscape continues to shift, the Kimmel controversy will be remembered not just as a turning point for ABC or Disney, but as a test case for the boundaries of free expression and creative independence in American media.

The spark of his firing, the fire of mass resignations, and the smoke of industry-wide instability all point to a future where freedom of speech on major platforms will be shaped less by cultural debate and more by corporate risk management.

“We’re done with it” is more than a phrase—it’s a warning shot for the next chapter of television.