Jimmy Kimmel is heading back to Brooklyn, and this time, he’s bringing a star-studded lineup and a fair bit of late-night drama with him. After a brief suspension from ABC, Kimmel’s "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" is set to air a week of shows from the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Howard Gilman Opera House, running from Monday, September 29 through Friday, October 3, 2025. This marks the seventh time the show has broadcast from the iconic Brooklyn venue, and anticipation is running high—not just for the celebrity guests, but for the cultural and political conversations that are bound to unfold.
This year’s Brooklyn run comes on the heels of a turbulent period for Kimmel and his show. According to Newsday, Kimmel was recently suspended by ABC after making comments on his September 15 episode regarding the murder of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The backlash was swift, leading ABC to temporarily pull the show off the air. Kimmel addressed the controversy upon his return, stating, “This show is not important. What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.” He went on to clarify, “You understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. I don’t think there’s anything funny about it.”
The show’s return was met with relief by fans and affiliates alike. On Friday, September 26, Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group restored Kimmel’s broadcast to ABC affiliate stations, ending a blackout that had affected dozens of cities. The timing couldn’t be better, as the Brooklyn episodes promise a parade of A-listers and headline-makers.
The guest list reads like a who’s who of Hollywood, music, and culture. Monday’s show will feature Ryan Reynolds, comedian Josh Johnson, and hip-hop legends Public Enemy. Tuesday brings a much-anticipated meeting of late-night minds: Stephen Colbert, whose own "Late Show" is set to end its CBS run in May, will join Kimmel. In an unusual twist, both hosts will appear on each other’s shows the same night, with Kimmel taping in Brooklyn before heading to Manhattan’s Ed Sullivan Theater for Colbert’s taping, as reported by latenighter.com. Also appearing Tuesday are actor Kumail Nanjiani and singer Reneé Rapp.
Wednesday’s episode will shine with Emily Blunt, "The Bear" star Ebon Moss-Bachrach, indie rockers Geese, and a special musical collaboration featuring Big Daddy Kane sitting in with Cleto and the Cletones. Thursday, however, is shaping up to be the week’s marquee event. That night, Kimmel welcomes both Bruce Springsteen and Jeremy Allen White to the stage—an appearance loaded with both pop culture and political significance.
As reported by Asbury Park Press, Jeremy Allen White is set to play Springsteen in the upcoming biopic "Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere." The film, which was partially shot in the singer’s home state of New Jersey, is scheduled for a theatrical premiere on October 24, 2025. White and Springsteen will appear together on the October 2 episode, joined by rock band Living Colour and singer Ivan Neville. For Springsteen, this marks his first appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" since 2019.
Springsteen’s presence on the show comes at a particularly charged moment in American politics. In an interview published September 25, 2025, by Time Magazine, Springsteen didn’t hold back his opinions on the current state of political discourse. He criticized the Democratic Party, saying, "We’re desperately in need of an effective alternative party, or for the Democratic Party to find someone who can speak to the majority of the nation." He continued, "There is a problem with the language that they’re using and the way they’re trying to reach people." Springsteen’s remarks reflect a broader frustration among some voters who feel alienated by both major parties.
But the legendary rocker saved some of his sharpest words for former President Donald Trump. According to Time Magazine, Springsteen stated, "A lot of people bought into his lies. He doesn’t care about the forgotten anybody but himself and the multibillionaires who stood behind him on Inauguration Day." He went on, "You have to face the fact that a good number of Americans are simply comfortable with his politics of power and dominance." When asked about Trump’s repeated jabs at him, Springsteen shrugged them off: "I absolutely couldn’t care less what he thinks about me." He added, "He’s the living personification of what the 25th Amendment and impeachment were for. If Congress had any guts, he’d be consigned to the trash heap of history."
Trump, for his part, has not been shy about responding. After Springsteen criticized the Trump White House during a concert earlier this year, calling it "corrupt, incompetent and treasonous," Trump fired back on social media, labeling Springsteen "highly overrated" and "not a talented guy—Just a pushy, obnoxious JERK, who fervently supported Crooked Joe Biden, a mentally incompetent FOOL, and our WORST EVER President, who came close to destroying our Country. If I wasn’t elected, it would have been GONE by now!"
This political back-and-forth is likely to add another layer of intrigue to Springsteen’s appearance on Kimmel’s Brooklyn stage. With Jeremy Allen White portraying "The Boss" in a major biopic and the real Springsteen offering candid takes on the state of the nation, viewers can expect a conversation that goes far beyond the usual late-night banter.
The rest of the week’s lineup is no less impressive. Friday’s finale will feature Oscar-winner Tom Hanks and acclaimed director Spike Lee, ensuring that the Brooklyn run ends on a high note. Each night promises not just entertainment, but the kind of cultural commentary and unexpected moments that have made "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" a staple of late-night television.
For Kimmel, this Brooklyn homecoming is more than just a temporary change of scenery. It’s a statement about resilience in the face of controversy, a celebration of the city’s vibrant arts scene, and an opportunity to host some of the most talked-about figures in American culture and politics. As the lights go up at the Howard Gilman Opera House, all eyes will be on Brooklyn—and on the conversations that unfold, both on stage and across the nation.
