Jimmy Kimmel's suspension sparks reactions from Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert
In a surprising turn of events, Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, has been suspended indefinitely by ABC News following remarks made about the shooting death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The suspension was announced on Wednesday, with ABC-affiliated stations such as Nexstar and Sinclair choosing not to air the show. The decision came after a group of stations expressed concern over Kimmel's comments, leading to the suspension. Late-night hosts Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert addressed the news on their respective shows on Thursday. Stewart joked about a 'talent-o-meter' that he claimed President Trump uses to determine when someone's talent level is low and when the FCC must be notified. Colbert stood in solidarity with Kimmel and his staff. Trump himself applauded the decision, claiming he has 'ZERO talent' and that Kimmel was fired due to bad ratings and lack of talent. He also mentioned a 'horrible thing' Kimmel allegedly said about Charlie Kirk during his monologue. The FCC Chair, Brendan Carr, criticized Kimmel's comments and praised the decision to suspend the show. Carr, a Trump ally, is involved in 'Project 2025,' aimed at reshaping the government and strengthening right-wing positions if Republicans win the election. He was appointed by Trump and confirmed by the Senate. ABC News, however, has not made any official statement regarding Kimmel's contract, which expires in May 2026. Kimmel himself did not immediately comment on the suspension. In a special move, ABC stations are set to air a special in remembrance of Charlie Kirk during the Jimmy Kimmel Live! timeslot. Meanwhile, Sinclair has called on Kimmel to apologize to the Kirk family and make a donation to Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organisation founded by Charlie Kirk. The Associated Press reported on the suspension, and Jimmy Fallon addressed the issue on The Tonight Show. The show also saw Jon Stewart interviewing journalist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Maria Ressa, asking for tips on coping with the current moment. As the situation unfolds, the entertainment industry and the public wait for further developments regarding Jimmy Kimmel Live! and the future of its host, Jimmy Kimmel.
