ABC Under Fire: Ben Stiller, Chris Hayes, Gov. Newsom, and Others Criticize ABC for Cancelling Jimmy Kimmel's Late Night Show Due to Charlie Kirk Remarks
Jimmy Kimmel, the popular late-night talk show host, has found himself at the centre of a media storm after Disney's ABC indefinitely took "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" off its schedule. The decision, made in response to criticism from conservative commentators, has sparked a wave of support and criticism from fellow celebrities, politicians, and free speech advocates.
The catalyst for the controversy stems from Kimmel's comments on Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA. Kimmel's remarks were met with strong objections from Nexstar Media, leading to the suspension of his show.
Brendan Carr, the current chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and an FCC commissioner since 2017, has been vocal in his criticism of Kimmel. Carr, an American lawyer, threatened to take action against ABC before the suspension was announced.
The decision to take Kimmel off the air has been met with widespread condemnation. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker described it as intimidation from the Trump administration, while California Governor Gavin Newsom accused the Republican Party of not believing in free speech.
Conan O'Brien, another prominent late-night host, wrote a post criticizing the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel and the promise to silence other late-night hosts for criticizing the administration. O'Brien's sentiments were echoed by Mike Birbiglia, who called for fellow comedians to stand up for Kimmel.
Support for Kimmel has come from unexpected quarters as well. Jean Smart, an actress known for her roles in "Fargo" and "Mare of Easttown," expressed horror at the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live. Ben Stiller, the actor and filmmaker, also voiced his disapproval, stating that he is horrified at the suspension.
Wanda Sykes, a comedian and actress, posted a video on Instagram supporting Jimmy Kimmel and criticizing the Trump administration. Don Lemon, CNN's primetime host, called the decision to take Kimmel off the air "scary" and a "dangerous, scary moment."
After the suspension, Jimmy Kimmel's colleague, Trevor Noah, took a firm stance in defence of free speech. Noah, the host of "The Daily Show," said, "We cannot let the administration dictate what we can and cannot say."
Following the suspension, Nexstar Media released a statement thanking ABC for "doing the right thing." However, the controversy surrounding Kimmel's suspension has raised questions about the state of free speech in the United States and the role of media in shaping public discourse.
In a recent development, David Sirota, a journalist and commentator, cited The Lever's reporting that Nexstar is seeking FCC approval for a merger and is lobbying to end local ownership rules. This raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the influence of powerful media conglomerates on the decisions made by broadcasters.
As the situation unfolds, it is clear that the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show has sparked a heated debate about free speech, media censorship, and the role of celebrities in political discourse. The future of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the controversy has shed light on the complex and evolving relationship between media, politics, and free speech in the United States.
