Jimmy Kimmel was set to return to his late-night show on ABC Tuesday after a nearly week-long suspension, a disciplinary action triggered by his on-air comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The controversy, which led to a boycott by major television station groups and a warning from a top federal regulator, cast a shadow over the comedian’s comeback, which was expected to include a direct address of the widening scandal.
The suspension, imposed by corporate parent Walt Disney, highlighted the intense political tensions surrounding media figures and the potent pressure that can be applied through regulatory threats. A sizable section of the American public is now unable to see “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” due to the incident, even though Disney has chosen to restore the broadcast.
What Did Jimmy Kimmel Say?
The firestorm began with Kimmel’s opening monologue on September 15, just five days after Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University. Kirk was a well-known podcast broadcaster, author, and supporter of former President Donald Trump.
In his monologue, Kimmel took aim at the political rhetoric surrounding the investigation. He stated that Trump’s supporters were desperate to characterize the accused assassin “as anything other than one of them.” He further accused them of trying to “score political points” from the murder. Given Kimmel’s history of lampooning President Trump, the comments immediately ignited outrage among conservatives.
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What Was the Reaction from Regulators and Broadcasters?
Some quarters responded quickly and harshly, going beyond open condemnation to take concrete action.
FCC Warning: BrendanĀ Carr, a commissioner and the head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates broadcast media, took direct aim at Kimmel. Appearing on a conservative podcast, Carr accused Kimmel of being part of an effort to “lie to the American public” about the assassin’s politics. He issued a stark warning to local ABC affiliates, urging them to stop airing Kimmel’s show and threatening that stations could otherwise “face fines or the loss of licenses.” “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr said.
Broadcaster Boycott: This regulatory pressure had an immediate effect. Nexstar Media Group, a major station owner, announced it would no longer carry “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”. It was swiftly followed by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Together, these two groups control affiliate stations that reach approximately 23% of U.S. television households, creating a massive blackout for the show.
Why Was the Show Suspended?
In the face of this escalating crisis, production of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was halted indefinitely. The situation was delicate for Disney; while supporting its host, the company had to navigate regulatory threats and a significant mutiny from its broadcast partners.
It was reported that Kimmel had planned to address the controversy on his show the following Wednesday. However, Disney executives intervened, fearing that his monologue would further inflame the situation. Instead of allowing him to speak, the company made the decision to suspend the show, effectively benching Kimmel while they managed the fallout.
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Disney announced on Monday that Kimmel would be reinstated. In its statement, the entertainment giant described Kimmel’s original comments about Kirk as “ill-timed and thus insensitive.” Notably, the statement stopped short of issuing a full apology, indicating a desire to move past the incident without fully capitulating to the pressure.
