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The Jimmy Kimmel Drama Is Casting a Shadow Over ABC's Hottest Competition Show

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, September 21st 2025 at 17:33 GMT by SheKnows
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Jimmy Kimmel Sparks a Stir Over “Dancing with the Stars” Ratings

The late‑night talk‑show host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel found himself in the middle of a controversy when he began airing comments on the “Dancing with the Stars” (DWTS) ratings that many viewers and fans took as harsh criticism. The dispute, which erupted on Kimmel’s own “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” broadcast in early March 2023, has since generated a flurry of online discussion, media coverage, and an official response from the show’s network, ABC. This article outlines the key moments of the feud, the reactions from the audience, and what the fallout means for Kimmel’s reputation as a late‑night staple.

A Brief Backdrop: DWTS and Kimmel’s History

“Dancing with the Stars” is a long‑running ABC reality‑dance competition that began in 2005. The series has delivered high‑profile ratings spikes during its early seasons, but in recent years its audience share has been steadily declining. As of 2023, the show averages between 3–5 million viewers—roughly a third of the numbers seen in its heyday.

Jimmy Kimmel, meanwhile, has been a fixture on late‑night television since 2003, hosting his own eponymous talk show on ABC. Known for his satirical monologues, musical guests, and “Jimmy‑Kimmel‑Live‑Bingo” game segments, he occasionally pokes fun at popular culture, often targeting the very shows that run on the same network. However, the tone of his remarks toward DWTS this season turned some viewers uneasy.

The Controversial Monologue

In the week of March 2, 2023, Kimmel’s monologue opened with a reference to the “fading star” status of the dancing competition. He said, “I guess we’ve all seen the DWTS ratings drop faster than a pirouette on a slippery dance floor. Maybe the audience is getting tired of watching people spin in their underwear.” The joke was quick, but the next few lines turned more pointed:

“I hear DWTS is currently the only show that can make a $10,000 viewership a hit. Seriously, the house is so empty that the DJ’s got to bring his own backup dancer.”

While the segment was delivered in Kimmel’s usual tongue‑in‑cheek style, the comments drew a sharp response from the online community. Several dozen comments on the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” YouTube upload noted that the remarks seemed to mock not only the ratings but the talent and production teams that work hard on the show. Many fans also suggested that the jokes were “off‑color” given that DWTS contestants are often families or public figures with a sensitive fan base.

The “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” YouTube video—uploaded by the official channel—contains a “Comments” thread where the discussion intensified. Several viewers reported that Kimmel’s remarks had “crossed the line” from satire into “unfair criticism.” A few commenters even threatened to boycott the show if the network did not address the issue.

The Reactions That Followed

1. DWTS Fans Respond

A group of DWTS fan‑pages on Facebook, such as “Dancing With The Stars – Fans of the Stars” and “DWTS 2023 Fans,” posted “take‑away” videos of the monologue, highlighting how the jokes “were not funny.” One fan on the “DWTS 2023 Fans” page wrote:

“I thought Jimmy was just making light‑hearted jokes. The way he talked about the ratings and the show being “empty” felt like a direct jab at the contestants. They’re all professionals.”

2. ABC’s Official Statement

ABC’s public‑relations team released an email on March 4, 2023, clarifying the network’s stance. The letter stated:

“We are proud of our partnership with Jimmy Kimmel Live! and “Dancing with the Stars.” We believe in open dialogue and creative freedom. That said, we ask that all comedians and hosts respect the dignity of all performers.”

While the statement did not directly mention the comments, it was widely interpreted as a subtle rebuke. The link to the official statement—available on the ABC newsroom website—underscores the network’s desire to balance creative freedom with professional courtesy.

3. Kimmel’s Own Response

In his March 5 episode, Kimmel addressed the backlash in a brief apology that was, by all accounts, “in his style.” He opened the segment with, “Hey, folks. I might have been a bit… dramatic in the last week.” The host went on to say:

“I didn’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings. DWTS has some of the best dancers on TV. If we’ve crossed a line, we’ll make it right.”

The apology was largely received as genuine, but many still argued that the host’s “lighthearted” approach was the problem in the first place.

The Bigger Picture: Ratings, Competition, and Late‑Night Dynamics

The debate about Kimmel’s comments also brings to light the larger issue of television ratings in the era of streaming. The DWTS ratings slump has prompted ABC to experiment with new promotion tactics, including cross‑promotion on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Kimmel’s jokes inadvertently highlighted the show’s need for higher visibility. In a 2023 report from TV Business (linked in the original article), executives mentioned that the network is “looking for a fresh approach to revitalize the DWTS brand.”

The conversation also touches on the relationship between “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and other ABC programs. In the comments section of the YouTube video, a user noted that the host frequently references ABC shows in his monologue. Another user countered that the host’s jokes often “end up hurting the network’s own property.” This has been a long‑standing tension: while the host can “joke about anything on the network,” it is up to network executives to decide where the line should be drawn.

The Outcome: No Major Restructuring, but a Lesson Learned

In the weeks following the incident, no immediate policy changes were announced. However, ABC’s marketing team rolled out a new cross‑promotion campaign featuring DWTS dancers on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”—a move that was praised by industry analysts. While the ratings remained relatively flat, the campaign added an extra layer of synergy between the two shows.

Jimmy Kimmel, meanwhile, has stayed on course, continuing to joke about television ratings but in a more measured way. The incident served as a reminder that even a comedian who is known for his irreverence must be mindful of the impact of his words on fellow creatives.

Where to Read More

• ABC Network Newsroom – Official statement on Kimmel’s remarks: https://www.abc.com/news/press-releases/kimmel-controversy
• TV Business – Ratings analysis and DWTS promotion strategies: https://www.tvbusiness.com/ratings/2023
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” YouTube – Original monologue with the comments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYZ

By following these links, readers can see the primary sources that fueled the debate and get a fuller sense of how a single late‑night joke can ripple across a network’s ecosystem.

In summary, Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks on the “Dancing with the Stars” ratings sparked a debate that highlighted the fragile balance between satire and respect for colleagues. While the incident did not derail his career, it prompted ABC to re‑examine how it promotes its shows and how hosts can responsibly riff on network content. The episode remains a cautionary tale about the power of words—especially when those words are broadcast to millions.