Comedians Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert take a stand for Jimmy Kimmel and the right to free expression amidst debates on late-night television
In a surprising turn of events, ABC News has indefinitely suspended the popular late-night show 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' following controversial comments made by its host, Jimmy Kimmel. The suspension was prompted by public pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman, Brendan Carr, and ABC affiliates. The controversy began when Kimmel made comments about the assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk. These remarks led Carr, a Trump appointee, to publicly threaten ABC News, Disney, and Kimmel with license revocation for allegedly spreading misinformation. This pressure was compounded by ABC News' parent company, Disney, needing FCC approval for other business dealings and broadcaster groups threatening to stop airing the show due to Carr's warnings. President Trump has endorsed these moves by the FCC, suggesting that networks should reapply for their licenses periodically and that not airing conservative views could be a reason for removing networks' licenses. Trump has also lauded ABC News' decision to suspend Kimmel's show and threatened to revoke broadcast licenses for networks airing negative information about him. Stephen Colbert, on his show 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert', defended Kimmel, calling the suspension blatant censorship. Colbert's support was echoed by fellow late-night host Jimmy Fallon, who expressed confusion over Kimmel's suspension and hopes for his return. Notably, Jon Stewart, on his show 'The Daily Show', made a special Thursday appearance to discuss the issue of free speech. Stewart, known for his satirical approach, has been outspoken about the cancellation of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' by the network's parent company, Paramount. Meanwhile, Seth Meyers, another late-night host, has taken a Trump-supporting approach, while Jon Stewart has been criticising Kimmel's suspension as a threat to free speech. The suspension has sparked protests outside the Disney studio in Burbank, California, with crowds gathering to express their dissent against the network pulling Kimmel's show off the air. As of now, Kimmel has not yet commented on the suspension. 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' airs every weeknight at 11:35 p.m. ET, featuring a diverse lineup of guests and comedy bits. The guests for Tuesday, May 20 included Sarah Silverman, Paul W. Downs, and Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory. This story was contributed to by CNN's Kevin Liptak, Brian Stelter, Tori B. Powell, and Natasha Chen. The developments in this case are being closely watched by the media and the public, as they represent a potential threat to the freedom of speech in the entertainment industry.
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