Dave Portnoy reacted to the indefinite suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Thursday, expressing his views on social media. He argued that Disney’s choice to pull the show wasn’t a matter of “cancel culture,” a stance that drew varied responses from his 3.7 million followers.
In a four-and-a-half-minute video, Portnoy elaborated on his perspective, emphasizing that, for him, “this isn’t about cancel culture.” He contrasted it with situations where people try to undermine someone because they don’t like them, mentioning his own experiences.
Kimmel has been under scrutiny after his comments regarding a student involved in a shooting incident, which many perceived as crossing a line.
Two major affiliates of ABC, Nexstar and Sinclair, were involved in airing the show. Portnoy expressed concerns, noting that this situation isn’t simply about freedom of speech. He believes the consequences stem from the specific actions and remarks made by Kimmel.
Portnoy noted a shift in Kimmel’s public perception, pointing out that as his ratings drop, he creates difficulties for ABC and its marketing partners. Kimmel isn’t protecting press freedoms, according to Portnoy—his situation is more complicated and interconnected with his performance and choices.
He also took a stance against the notion that Kimmel is being silenced. Portnoy highlighted the disparity of views on cancel culture, pondering the implications of people digging into past remarks to find fault with others.
Reference was also made to Stephen Colbert’s show, which had been canceled earlier in July, amidst broader discussions about industry shifts and cost management within networks.
