ABC Pulls Plug on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Following Controversial Joke
Last Wednesday, ABC declared a halt to the airing of new episodes of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’, a decision that has sent shockwaves through the media industry. This unexpected move is reportedly a reaction to backlash triggered by a controversial remark made by Kimmel, targeting Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer. The comedian is facing this drastic consequence not for the punchline of the joke, but for the set-up itself, during his recent Monday night monologue.
Kimmel said, ‘There has been a noticeable descent into a new low over the past weekend, with the MAGA group going to great lengths to portray the person who committed the alleged murder of Charlie Kirk differently, even if it means going as far as to leverage it for political gains.’ His comments have stirred up anger among right-wing supporters and drawn sharp criticism from Brendan Carr, the FCC Chair.
In a conversation with popular YouTuber Benny Johnson, Carr suggested the potential withdrawal of ABC’s affiliate licenses. He expressed his dissatisfaction with how Kimmel associated Charlie Robinson, the alleged killer, with the MAGA movement. He remarked, ‘There’s an evident attempt by Jimmy Kimmel to manipulate the narrative and insinuate that the person involved is somehow driven by MAGA or Republican motivations.’
Carr further clarified about how the FCC-license system works, and emphasized that the license brings with it an obligation to serve the public’s interest. He said, ‘The FCC grants broadcasters a license, and with it comes a responsibility to operate with the public’s interest at heart. When situations like this arise, there’s a choice to be made: to take the clear path to corrective action or prepare for additional FCC scrutiny.’
Both ABC and the media giant Nexstar seem to have chosen the former option. Nexstar announced its decision to preempt ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on its affiliated stations, a move that came closely after ABC declared to stop broadcasting new episodes of the show.
Following the announcements, a celebratory message from President Trump appeared on Truth Social, in which he declared, ‘This is indeed a victory for America. The Jimmy Kimmel Show, which has struggled with ratings, is now off the air. Kudos to ABC for mustering the courage to do what needed to be done.’ He further stated that Kimmel possessed no talent and had even lower ratings than Stephen Colbert.
However, there is an array of voices raised in defense of Kimmel, including figures like actor Ben Stiller, Senator Adam Schiff of California, and its Governor, Gavin Newsom. They publicly denounced Carr’s comments and the network’s decision to suspend Kimmel’s show.
Both the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the American Federation of Musicians voiced their support for Kimmel and their respective union members. The latter issued a statement, ‘This isn’t a complex situation. The FCC under Trump’s administration identified an unfavorable speech and intimidated ABC with severe consequences. This represents state censorship.’
In their statement, the WGA reproached both the authorities and the broadcasting corporation. They highlighted, ‘The freedom to express our thoughts and disagreements – to challenge and even disturb others is fundamental to being a society rooted in free thought. This isn’t something that can be suppressed. Not by violence, not by misuse of governmental powers, and certainly not by corporate fearfulness.’
In a tone of explicit reproval, they continued, ‘A clear reminder is due for those in power who have forgotten this fundamental truth. Our language has played a significant role in your prosperity, and to silence us would be to the detriment of society as a whole.’
Finally, the organization confirmed their action plan, ‘WGA extends its support to Jimmy Kimmel and his team of writers. We’ll not let this pass without resistance.’ Despite the array of reactions, the ultimate fate of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ remains uncertain, leaving the industry in speculation.