Late-night talk shows tackled Jimmy Kimmel's suspension with humor and camaraderie
In a surprising turn of events, ABC News has suspended 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' following a decision by ABC-affiliated stations not to air the show. The suspension has sparked a wave of support from fellow late-night hosts, including Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, and Jon Stewart.
During his 'Tonight Show' monologue, Jimmy Fallon praised Kimmel and vowed to continue his show as usual. Fallon also addressed Kimmel's suspension, calling it 'blatant censorship.' Fallon's critiques about President Donald Trump were replaced with flattery in an announcer's statement, adding fuel to the fire.
Stepping up to the plate, Stephen Colbert stood with Kimmel and his staff, stating that broadcasters should uphold freedom of speech. Colbert's stance was reinforced when he criticized the settlement between President Donald Trump and Paramount Global, parent company of CBS, just three days prior to the announcement of his show's cancellation. CBS announced in July that it would cancel 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' next May for financial reasons.
Jon Stewart, too, has joined the fray. His set for 'The Daily Show' was refashioned to mimic gold accents added to the Oval Office by President Trump, and he hosted the show on a day other than Monday to show his solidarity with Kimmel. Stewart used satire to critique ABC News' suspension of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'.
David Letterman, Colbert's predecessor on 'The Late Show,' lamented the networks' moves, stating that it is managed media and it is no good, silly, and ridiculous.
Meanwhile, Maria Ressa, journalist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, spoke to Jon Stewart about coping with censorship. Ressa recounted how she and her colleagues at Rappler 'just kept going' when faced with 11 arrest warrants under Philippine then-President Rodrigo Duterte.
Despite the tumultuous times, Kimmel has remained silent on the matter. His remarks on the reaction to Kirk's killing did not specifically suggest that Tyler Robinson, the man Utah authorities allege fatally shot Kirk, was conservative.
The Federal Communications Commission Chairman, Brendan Carr, stated that his agency has a strong case for holding Kimmel, ABC News, and network parent Walt Disney Co. accountable for spreading misinformation. However, the specifics of the case remain unclear.
As the industry grapples with the implications of censorship and the role of broadcasters in a democratic society, one thing is certain: the late-night hosts are not backing down. The show must go on, and they are determined to continue their work, standing for freedom of speech and the right to express dissenting opinions.
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