Jimmy Kimmel's response to his suspension, disclosed by David Letterman
In a surprising turn of events, Jimmy Kimmel found himself in the midst of a media storm, all while 'sitting up in bed taking nourishment' as the news about his show broke. The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! was a direct result of Jimmy Kimmel's Sept. 15 monologue, which sparked controversy and condemnation from regulators, conservative groups, and Hollywood stars alike.
The controversy stemmed from a monologue that mocked former President Trump's response to the shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The links drawn between far-right extremism and the shooting in the monologue seemed to be the final straw for many, leading to ABC affiliates and major broadcasters pulling Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely.
Sinclair Media, a media conglomerate, put pressure on ABC to suspend the show, demanding three conditions for the indefinite suspension to be lifted: an apology from Jimmy Kimmel, a donation to the organization Turning Point USA associated with Charlie Kirk, and the broadcasting of a memorial event for Charlie Kirk instead of the show.
This suspension is a stark contrast to the history of late-night television. For instance, David Letterman's late-night show had mocked six presidents 'mercilessly' without incident. In light of this, David Letterman, who spoke at The Atlantic Festival in New York City, argued that you cannot fire someone to appease an authoritarian administration.
The suspension has not only been criticised by David Letterman but also by Hollywood stars like Ben Stiller, Wanda Sykes, Kathy Griffin, and Tatiana Maslany. These stars have called for Disney subscription cancellations, expressing their disapproval of the suspension.
Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers have also blasted the suspension, labelling it as censorship on their shows. Jimmy Kimmel is expected to be fine, according to David Letterman, who had a conversation with Jimmy Kimmel over text messages when his show got pulled off air.
Despite the controversy, David Letterman remains optimistic, describing the suspension as 'ridiculous.' As the situation unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between free speech and accountability in the media landscape.
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