Springsteen Canceled for Kimmel’s Brooklyn Week; Schumer Added

Key points

• Bruce Springsteen canceled his scheduled Tuesday interview and performance with Tom Morello; Amy Schumer was added as a replacement interview guest.
• The show is taping five episodes at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Howard Gilman Opera House from September 28 to October 2.
• Tuesday’s lineup now includes Howard Stern, Amy Schumer, and musical guest Tom Morello performing solo.
• The week’s guests include Pete Davidson, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Billy Crystal, Mahershala Ali, John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Paul McCartney, and Sen. Bernie Sanders.
• Springsteen’s cancellation was linked to the Power to the People Music Festival, which he remains listed for despite missing the TV appearance.

Background

Kimmel returned to late-night television earlier this year after a suspension related to his feud with the FCC. This is his eighth week filming in Brooklyn, following a previous appearance by Stephen Colbert in September. The show had recently aired its 4,000th episode.

How outlets are covering it

LateNighter reported that Springsteen canceled without a stated reason, while noting he remains listed for the Power to the Power Music Festival. ABC Network confirmed the updated Tuesday lineup with Schumer and Morello. TV Insider noted that Kimmel’s sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez will not join until Wednesday due to his 'Dancing with the Stars' commitments. The New York Post emphasized the political significance of NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s appearance, framing Kimmel as a critic of President Trump. Outlets generally agreed on the guest list but differed in emphasis: LateNighter focused on the Springsteen/Schumer swap, while the NY Post highlighted the political angle of Mamdani’s interview.

Why it matters

The lineup reflects the current late-night landscape, featuring prominent political figures and cultural icons. The cancellation of Springsteen, a major musical figure, and the addition of Schumer highlight the fluid nature of late-night bookings. The week’s focus on Brooklyn and the inclusion of local and national political figures underscore the show’s role in bridging entertainment and civic discourse.

What to watch

The five-night run concludes on October 2 with a rare first-run episode featuring Paul McCartney and Bernie Sanders. Viewers can expect the Tuesday episode to air with the updated lineup. Future weeks may see continued political and cultural guests as the midterm election season approaches.