Bill Simmons discusses his views on what lies ahead.

Bill Simmons Supports Jimmy Kimmel Amid Show Uncertainty

Bill Simmons is confident that this isn’t the end for his longtime friend, Jimmy Kimmel, especially after ABC suspended his show. He’s calling on his former employer to back Kimmel during this challenging time.

“I really hope Jimmy’s show sticks around, and I expect ABC to stand by him. I mean, it makes sense, right? But if they don’t, I think he’ll be okay,” he remarked on his podcast. It’s hard to imagine Kimmel not finding another outlet for his work. The situation is just… baffling.

Simmons, 55, shared that he has been friends with Kimmel for 24 years and mentioned his intentions to support Kimmel over the network following some remarks Kimmel made regarding Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

He sees Kimmel’s situation as distinct from Stephen Colbert’s, whose show CBS and Paramount are sidelining. “Kimmel is such a key figure for ABC; he really drives their brand,” he explained, pointing out how Kimmel dreams big, having led the Oscars and propelled the network forward.

“He holds a lot more significance for ABC compared to Colbert,” Simmons added.

He perceives that Kimmel is caught in a complex power dynamic, as ABC seems to have more leverage than CBS, but it still doesn’t rival NBC’s standing with “Saturday Night Live.”

Simmons noted the ongoing Nexstar merger with Tegna, which is awaiting FCC approval, and mentioned that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has been critical of Kimmel before and after the show’s removal.

He characterized the show’s suspension as a form of “censorship.”

“Kimmel’s show doesn’t carry the same weight for Disney that ‘Saturday Night Live’ does for NBC. Trump understands that, and so does Bob Iger,” he said. “They have to think carefully about the implications of sacrificing affiliate marketing without a solid strategy.”

While Simmons didn’t initially think Kimmel would come back, he now feels there could be a chance that Disney might back him.

“Perhaps Disney is starting to realize that it’s important to back someone,” he reflected. “Kimmel has been one of their best assets for over two decades, contributing immensely to their brand.” He sees a glimmer of hope in this scenario.

However, it remains unclear whether Kimmel desires to keep working with ABC or if that partnership even makes sense moving forward.

Simmons believes that Kimmel will continue to create engaging content, noting that Kimmel is one of the most competitive people he knows, even if they split paths.