Colbert and Stewart Defend Kimmel as ABC Suspends Show Indefinitely
UPDATE: Late-night icons Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart have come to the defense of Jimmy Kimmel following ABC’s shocking decision to suspend his show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, indefinitely. This development comes after Kimmel’s controversial remarks regarding the investigation into Charlie Kirk‘s suspected killer, prompting widespread backlash.
During their Thursday night broadcasts, both hosts expressed solidarity with Kimmel. “Jimmy, I stand with you and your staff 100%,” Colbert declared on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.” He characterized ABC’s actions as “blatant censorship,” emphasizing, “Tonight, we are all Jimmy Kimmel.”
Stepping in for his usual Monday slot, Stewart echoed similar sentiments. “You may call it ‘free speech’ in Jolly Old England, but in America we have a little something called the First Amendment,” he stated, referencing a clip of a British journalist questioning former President Donald Trump about Kimmel’s suspension during Trump’s recent UK visit.
The abrupt suspension of Kimmel’s show, announced on Wednesday evening, has drawn sharp criticism. The decision reportedly followed intense public pressure from Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr and ABC affiliates. Kimmel has yet to publicly comment on the matter.
As tensions mounted, crowds gathered outside the Disney studio in Burbank, California, protesting the network’s decision to pull Kimmel’s show off the air. Trump praised ABC’s actions, stating that networks could face license revocation for broadcasting negative information about him. “I won all seven swing states. They’re 97% against, they give me wholly bad publicity,” he claimed, without providing any evidence.
On Thursday, Stewart humorously addressed the situation, sarcastically referring to Trump as “lordship” while also lampooning the political climate. He poked fun at the administration’s apparent disregard for free speech, suggesting that some might view the government’s stance as an attempt to consolidate power.
NBC’s Seth Meyers took a similar approach, praising Trump and joking about the absurdity of any negative remarks attributed to him, attributing them to artificial intelligence.
Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, noted he would support FCC actions to revoke licenses for networks perceived to be biased against conservative viewpoints. “If you have a network and you have evening shows that all they do is hit Trump, that’s all they do,” he remarked.
Following Kimmel’s comments about Kirk’s murder, Carr criticized the late-night host’s remarks as “the sickest conduct possible” and suggested that the FCC could take action against ABC affiliates as leverage to discipline Kimmel.
As this story develops, viewers and fans alike are left to ponder the implications for free speech and the future of late-night television. The situation has ignited a national conversation about the boundaries of humor and commentary in today’s politically charged environment, raising urgent questions about censorship and artistic expression.
Expect more updates on this evolving story as public reactions continue to unfold. Will Kimmel address the suspension? How will ABC respond to the mounting pressure? Stay tuned for the latest developments.
