Kennedy Center’s President Critiques Jimmy Kimmel
Washington DC – Rick Grenell, the president of the Kennedy Center, has criticized Jimmy Kimmel’s biased rhetoric during a pause in late-night programming at the Kennedy Center Gala, an event held to support the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO).
Last week, both Sinclair and Nexstar announced they would start airing “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” again after taking a step back following Kimmel’s controversial remarks regarding Charlie Kirk and the Magazine movement.
Grenell suggested that Disney’s decision to sideline their late-night hosts was likely based on financial concerns. “I think they made that choice because Jimmy’s been losing tens of millions each year,” Grenell stated in an interview. He added, however, that it’s tough to pinpoint the exact financial impact of the show in the digital landscape. “We shouldn’t jump into DEI programming simply out of fear of political backlash,” he said.
Sinclair and Nexstar React to Kimmel’s Comments
Grenell mentioned that some discussions pointed out how Broadway is facing significant challenges. “Look, we’ve seen the New York Times discussing the decline of Broadway recently,” he noted. “People are not buying tickets. We need to shift that direction somehow. Studios must cater to what audiences actually want.” He referenced a report indicating that all 18 commercial musicals that launched on Broadway last season haven’t yet turned a profit.
The Times reported that new shows like “Tammy Fay” and “Boop!” cost around $20 million each but closed their doors within four months. “All three of us lost our total investment,” Grenell highlighted.
While acknowledging rising production costs as a factor for Broadway’s troubles, Grenell attributed Kimmel’s struggles to his consistently one-sided humor. “Let’s be real,” he said. “It’s no secret that Kimmel’s humor tends to be deliberately partisan. It’s clear that it’s affecting viewership.”
Kennedy Center’s Mission of Inclusivity
Reflecting on his leadership, Grenell mentioned that the Kennedy Center faced similar issues in the past but has remained committed to encouraging inclusivity. “We want to ensure everyone feels welcome here,” he asserted. “No shows have been canceled on my watch, yet some artists stepped away because they didn’t want to perform for Republicans. That’s something I find quite troubling.”
Mary Helen Bauers, a board member appointed in 2020, shared her thoughts on Kimmel’s outspokenness, indicating that while she disapproves of his comments, financial viability is crucial. “He was mean, and I believe Charlie Kirk is a hero,” she said. “If the viewership drops, I don’t see why he should be aired.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Disney for their input on the situation.
Celebrating the NSO’s Legacy
The NSO is currently celebrating its 95th anniversary, with Saturday’s gala featuring performances of works by renowned composers like Copland and Rimsky-Korsakov. The fundraising event brought in $3.45 million, with about half of those present being new attendees.
