Comments from Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Seth Meyers on Jimmy Kimmel's temporary quarantine
In an unexpected turn of events, ABC has indefinitely suspended 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' following backlash to Kimmel's comments about Charlie Kirk's death. This decision has sparked a wave of reactions from fellow late-night hosts and industry insiders, with some accusing ABC and parent company Disney of capitulating to political pressure.
The suspension has been met with criticism from various quarters, with protesters calling for an end to censorship in Hollywood. SAG-AFTRA and WGA are among those protesting the decision, following threats from FCC chairman Brendan Carr. Carr's social media post read, 'While this may be an unprecedented decision, it is important for broadcasters to push back on Disney programming that they determine falls short of community values.'
Seth Meyers, in his segment 'A Closer Look,' joked about the situation, suggesting that anything negative he's said about the president could be an AI-generated deepfake. Meanwhile, Jon Stewart moderated a special show on Comedy Central, a satirical, submissive-style program praising Donald Trump, before returning to host 'The Daily Show.' Stewart commented on the current situation, stating that it is now the 'all new, government-approved' version.
David Letterman, a late-night veteran, described the situation as 'misery' and criticized political pressure as the real culprit behind the suspension of 'The Late Show' and 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'. Jimmy Fallon briefly addressed the situation in his monologue, expressing hope for Kimmel's return.
Stephen Colbert, on the other hand, has been vocal about the issue. He sang a parody of 'Be Our Guest' from 'Beauty and The Beast,' with lyrics critical of ABC and Disney's decision to suspend 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'. Colbert's show also added David Remnick, the editor in chief of the New Yorker, to its lineup.
Jean Smart, who plays a fictional late-night television host on TV in the show 'Hacks,' shared her thoughts on the decision to pull Kimmel from the air, stating that what Kimmel said was free speech, not hate speech.
In a conversation with CNN's Jake Tapper, Colbert discussed Kimmel's situation, bringing up the Department of Justice's review of Disney's deal to take a controlling stake in streaming company FuboTV. Tapper questioned what Bob Iger, Disney's chief executive, would do about Kimmel given that he has business before the Justice Department.
As the industry grapples with these developments, the future of late-night TV remains uncertain. CBS announced 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' would be canceled after the season wraps in May 2026, effectively ending the franchise after 33 years on the air.
Democratic Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly is scheduled to appear on 'The Late Show' airing Monday, providing a glimmer of normality amidst the turbulence. The suspension of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' continues to be a hot topic, with many questioning the role of political pressure in shaping the landscape of late-night TV.
Read also:
- Eighteen-Year-Old Speaks Out Against Lowering Voting Age to Sixteen
- King Charles's body language analyst dissects signs of apparent 'impatience' exhibited by Charles towards Trump
- Mohammad Yousuf publically labeled Suryakumar Yadav as a "pig," an unusual slur Yousuf explained.
- Today's most impactful photographic moments
