Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show has been put on hold “indefinitely” after he suggested that the person who killed Charlie Kirk had ties to a right-wing group.
What did Jimmy Kimmel say about Charlie Kirk?
During Monday’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, the host claimed that the “Maga Gang” was exploiting Kirk’s death for political gain.
Kimmel stated, “The Magagang is attempting to portray the individual who killed Charlie Kirk as more than just one person and is actively trying to take advantage of the situation.” He also mentioned that he felt a sense of sorrow in his comments.
Kirk, 31, was shot last Wednesday at an event at Utah Valley University, according to authorities. A 22-year-old man from Utah has been charged, with investigators noting he was troubled by Kirk’s left-leaning views.
ABC announced on Wednesday that Kimmel’s show would be “preempted indefinitely.”
Where did the decision to pause Kimmel’s show come from?
Disney Entertainment co-chair Dana Walden informed Kimmel on Wednesday that his long-running show on ABC would be on hold, as reported by Deadline.
According to Deadline, Walden and CEO Bob Iger mentioned that FCC Chair Brendan Carr called for the preemption, labeling Kimmel’s comments as “one of the most odious acts possible.”
Kimmel intended to address the situation on air and discuss his comments, including reaching out to some of Trump’s supporters, as per the deadline report.
Insiders suggested he was hesitant to apologize, raising concerns among executives about what further actions Disney might need to take regarding the show if he “doubled down” on his statements.
Deadline noted that the company wishes for Kimmel to return “quickly,” but for now, the show will be replaced with a “celebrity family feud.”
A source described it as a challenging day for everyone involved.
What are Sinclair and Nexstar? How did those companies influence ABC/Disney’s decision?
Nexstar Media Group, which owns a significant number of local television stations, indicated it would continue to sideline “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for the foreseeable future.
Sinclair Broadcast Group, which runs many ABC affiliates, called Kimmel’s remarks “inappropriate and deeply insensitive,” requesting a “direct apology” and a donation to Turning Point USA and to Kirk’s family.
There was also a special scheduled for Kimmel’s slot that Friday.
Josh McClain, a political science professor at the University of Utah, pointed out that the affiliate pressure is a result of years of consolidation which has bolstered companies like Sinclair and Nexstar.
He noted that regulations established under the Trump administration helped companies like Sinclair expand their influence over local stations.
“When Nexstar didn’t own most local TV outlets, they wouldn’t have had the power to exert this kind of pressure on ABC,” McClain remarked.
He explained that Sinclair’s acquisitions tend to shift political coverage towards national narratives benefiting the Republican party.
As these firms grow, local news coverage diminishes, which he described as a troubling “policy choice.”
Nexstar is currently seeking FCC approval to acquire Tegna in a $6.2 billion deal. Meanwhile, Disney is pursuing permissions concerning ESPN agreements and NFL media assets.
McClain cautioned that increasing government influence over broadcast content presents a worrying trend for all ideologies.
What did Trump say?
Trump reacted positively to Kimmel’s suspension, branding him “no talent” and labeling it “great news for America.”
He called for NBC to take similar action against other late-night hosts, including Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon.
Fallon, meanwhile, cancelled a scheduled appearance at a festival in New York shortly thereafter, as reported by AdWeek.
Trump commended affiliates for their refusal to air Kimmel’s show, making allusions to the potential revocation of broadcaster licenses.
However, it is important to note that federal law prevents the FCC from revoking licenses based on viewpoints.
Will Kimmel be broadcast? What happens next?
ABC has not clarified whether or not “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will return or be canceled.
There’s hope among executives for a return, although the affiliate situation and pending approaches to federal regulators complicate matters.
It appears Disney and ABC may face significant challenges convincing Kimmel to resume his show.
Sources indicated Kimmel is “absolutely upset” about the decision, expressing concerns over government overreach affecting free speech in America.
Sinclair has stated it won’t reinstate Kimmel’s show until a formal discussion takes place with ABC and that a personal apology and donation will be made.
Nexstar has announced that ABC affiliates will continue airing alternative programming for the time being.
How did people react?
Former President Barack Obama criticized Disney’s move, suggesting media companies should not cave to governmental pressures. He denounced the frequent threats of regulatory actions against critics.
The writers’ and actors’ union, along with Penn America, have labeled the show’s suspension an assault on free expression.
California Governor Gavin Newsom described the situation as both a “danger” and a “correction,” while some social media users shared screenshots of their canceled Disney+ memberships.
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez has remarked on the increasing governmental leverage over honest expression, while Carr commended Nexstar for their actions.
As this situation unfolds, a crowd gathered outside Kimmel’s studio, expressing mixed feelings about censorship and the necessity for accountability.
While Kimmel left the El Capitan Theatre without comment, staff had been notified of the suspension before the taping.
ABC stated that no timelines have been announced for returning the show.
