Jimmy Kimmel’s interview with James Talarico may not have made it to television, but that has not stopped it from amassing massive viewership online. The interview with the Texas senator quickly became one of the most talked-about segments surrounding Kimmel after the late-night host revealed that it would not air on television amid concerns over pressure from the FCC.

It may have seemed the interview might never see the light of day, but it found new life on a different platform. Kimmel announced that the interview would be released on a different platform. Once the interview surfaced online, it quickly racked up millions of views.

It seems the absence of the interview from television did not dampen audience interest.

Jimmy Kimmel’s interview with James Talarico was released on YouTube, as he had previously announced, and quickly drew a massive audience. The video garnered more than 5 million views within 24 hours of being posted on the platform. This interview had previously been pulled from ABC amid concerns about potential pressure from the FCC, as Kimmel had mentioned.

“Out of consideration for our local stations, especially our ABC affiliates in Texas who would have to deal with this nonsense, my interview tomorrow with James Talarico will not air on television,” Kimmel previously said on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Previously, another interview featuring Talarico faced a similar situation. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was reportedly asked not to air its interview with Talarico, which was later released on YouTube. The video went on to surpass 9 million views, making the latest interview’s performance particularly interesting. With the conversation having already crossed 5 million views in just 24 hours, it remains to be seen whether it can reach, or even surpass, the 9-million-view mark.

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As of now, Kimmels' future with ABC has been in the conversation.

As per a new report from Variety, Jimmy Kimmel and ABC are in conversation over the late-night show host’s future with the network. As of now, there is chatter that the host could continue with his show after the 2026-27 season. However, the chances are that he may have fewer resources and a smaller budget.

This comes after Kimmel’s show was suspended following a political fallout in 2025. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS also recently ended its run. So, it remains to be seen whether Kimmel will return after the 2026-27 season.

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What do you think about the viewership rates of Jimmy Kimmel's interview with James Talarico? Let us know in the comments.