New York ? ABC is canceling Bill Maher’s late-night topical talk show, “Politically Incorrect,” and replacing it with an entertainment show led by Comedy Central’s Jimmy Kimmel.

Maher’s show, which starts after “Nightline,” has aired on ABC since 1997 and started on Comedy Central in 1993.

“Politically Incorrect” was believed to be in trouble ever since Maher, in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, was quoted as referring to past United States military actions as “cowardly.” FedEx and Sears pulled their advertising from the show.

ABC Chairman Lloyd Braun said Maher’s controversial comments had nothing to do with the decision to replace him.

“We made a decision to go with straight entertainment programming in late-night,” Braun said on Tuesday. “That’s just basically a scheduling opportunity that we felt over the long-term had more potential.”