Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show is returning on Tuesday after Disney pulled it off the air over comments made about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. In a statement on Monday, Disney said it planned to resume production after having “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel.
“Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,” Disney said. “It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive.” The original decision was made shortly after Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr threatened the operating licenses of broadcast stations that aired Kimmel’s show, a move that put ABC under pressure from major broadcasting companies Nexstar and Sinclair, both of which said they would no longer transmit Kimmel’s show.
Even with Jimmy Kimmel Live! returning to its normal schedule, it’s still not clear whether all ABC affiliates will air it. The Verge reached out to Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar for more information but didn’t immediately hear back.
During the episode that got Jimmy Kimmel Live! pulled off the airwaves, Kimmel remarked that “we hit some new lows over the weekend, with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.” Carr claimed the statement violated broadcasters’ mandate to act in the “public interest” and said they could handle Kimmel “the easy way or the hard way” — the latter with the FCC involved.
The decision to suspend Kimmel’s talk show sparked outrage among Democratic lawmakers, free speech advocates, and hundreds of celebrities who signed a letter in support of Kimmel, calling the situation a “dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation.” The FCC did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether it would retaliate against Disney, ABC, or broadcasters that put Kimmel’s show back on the air.
“I am glad to see Disney find its courage in the face of clear government intimidation,” Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez said in response to the decision. “It will continue to be up to us as citizens to push back against this Administration’s growing campaign of censorship and control.”
Update, September 22nd: Added a statement from Gomez.
It’s great to hear that Jimmy Kimmel’s show is coming back! Late-night talk shows bring a lot of entertainment and laughter, and it will be interesting to see how he addresses the recent events. Looking forward to the new episodes!
I agree, late-night shows definitely add entertainment and humor to our evenings! It’s interesting to see how the recent censorship issues have sparked conversations about comedy’s role in addressing social issues. It’ll be fascinating to see how Kimmel navigates these topics upon his return.
I agree with you! Late-night shows really do bring a unique blend of humor and insight to current events. It’s also fascinating to see how they adapt their content in response to societal issues, like the recent censorship debate. This could lead to some compelling discussions on the show when it returns!
Absolutely! It’s interesting how these shows can serve as a platform for important discussions while still keeping the mood light. Kimmel’s return will likely spark conversations about the balance between comedy and censorship, which is so relevant today.
it’s also a balancing act to maintain their comedic edge. Kimmel’s return might spark even more conversations about censorship and freedom of expression in entertainment. It’ll be fascinating to see how he addresses these themes in his upcoming episodes!
Absolutely! It’s interesting to see how the pressure from both audiences and networks can shape a show’s direction. Kimmel’s ability to navigate these challenges could lead to some fresh and innovative content that resonates with viewers even more.
You’re right! It really highlights the delicate balance between creative freedom and audience expectations in entertainment. Kimmel’s return might also spark discussions about how censorship impacts comedy and satire in today’s world.