Disney’s ABC seemed to weigh the possibility of letting Jimmy Kimmel go but ultimately decided against it, likely guided by the simple question: “What would Charlie do?” And no, it’s not thinking of Charlie Chaplin or even Charlie Sheen. It’s about Charlie Kirk, the free speech advocate who believes in the power of discourse over censorship.
Kirk has always been intrigued by what angers him, and instead of dismissing it, he embraces the chaos. He believes that people can handle adult language, unlike a reality TV star throwing a fit over a lost photo op.
Now, let’s talk about the latest in Disney-Marvel — *Guardians of the Shallers*. Forget the cliché of superheroes saving the day; this group, led by Bob Iger, gets anxious around their squeaky-clean sponsors and faces their biggest threat: a comedian’s monologue.
And here’s where hypocrisy plays a major role. It reminds me of a line from Matthew: “If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to the other.” Disney’s take? If someone sends a threatening email, pull Kimmel from the air indefinitely and replace him with a rerun of a family game show.
Consider Mark 10:14: “Let the little children come to me.” The White House version? “I’ll tolerate a late-night host and then sue them to make them pay.”
Even the gatekeepers of humor are weighing in, like Brendan Kerr from the FCC, who called Kimmel’s joke “really sick.” He seems to have drawn his own lesson, saying inappropriate jokes lead to dismissal, while he himself appears in right-wing podcasts discussing comedy’s national security implications.
Then there’s Vice President JD Vance, who stated, “Kimmel just wasn’t funny; his ratings were in the toilet and advertisers were pulling out.” Essentially, the real concern for America isn’t border security or government spending—it’s a comedian lagging in ratings.
Political commentator Megyn Kelly didn’t hold back either, stating that Kimmel tarnishes the entire movement, though she’s no stranger to controversy herself. She claims that Santa Claus is somehow protected by his whiteness. In this conflict over free speech, a former news anchor with a rocky history seems to have a lot to say about others’ views.
In a twist fit for a Netflix special, Senator Ted Cruz expressed his frustrations over the FCC’s involvement. Charlie Kirk would likely find this ironic—not because censorship is humorous, but because it highlights the contradictions in powerful figures telling jokes. He values hearing offensive opinions, believing that free speech should extend to everyone, including those marginalized by the extremes of the political spectrum.
As someone with experience in late-night writing, I can imagine Kimmel navigating this tricky moment. He could embrace the spotlight, express genuine enthusiasm, and most importantly, forgo any apologies. Maybe he could even invite Disney execs, ABC staff, the FCC president, and Trump onto the show.
So yes, Kimmel is back, at least for now. But before Disney finds a reason to pull the plug again or before further FCC scrutiny arises, he should take a moment to reflect: what does Charlie do?
Perhaps Kirk couldn’t dodge this particular bullet, but somehow, the concept of free speech just barely evaded a crisis.
