ABC announced on Monday that Jimmy Kimmel would return to his late night show after being suspended at the beginning of this month after resistance to his comments to kill conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The network said in its statement that “thoughtful conversations with Jimmy” and “reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday”.
Why was Jimmy Kimmel’s show suspended?
ABC initially did not offer any explanation when Jimmy Kimmel Live pulled out! off the air. But the main association NexStar and Sinclair said they would no longer have a program and quote “offensive and insensitive” comments and “problematic comments on the murder of Charlie Kirk”.
Walt Disney Co, who owns ABC later explained: “We decided to suspend the production in the show to avoid further ignition of the tense situation at the emotional moment for our country. It is the decision we made because we felt some of the comments were poorly timed and so insensitive.”
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The chairman of the Federal Communication Commission Brendan Carr called Kimmel’s comments “really ill” and warned that associated entities could face the consequences if the comedian was not disciplined. Carr later denied the threat of canceling the ABC license.
What led to Kimmel’s renewal?
Disney said that the decision came after private interviews with the host. “We spent the last days with thoughtful conversations with Jimmy and after these interviews we have reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday,” the company said.
What did Kimmel say after Kirka’s death?
Kimmel called Kirk to kill “nonsensical murder” and condemned those who celebrated her. He also criticized Donald Trump and his supporters, whom he referred to as “Maga Gang”, as an attempt to make money.
“Maga Gang (IS) desperately tries to characterize the child who murdered Charlie Kirk like anything other than one of them and did everything in their power to earn political points,” Kimmel said.
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He mocked Trump’s answer and said, “This four -year -old mourning goldfish, ok?” He also criticized the Chief of the FBI Kash Patel for dealing with the case “as a child who had not read the book, walking through the oral news”.
The next night he ridiculed Vice President JD Vance’s guest hosting Kirk’s podcast.
How did Trump react to suspension?
On the social community of Trump, ABC appreciated “finally to have the courage to do what had to be done” and said Kimmel “had zero talent”.
During a press conference in Britain, Trump said that the comedian was to be released earlier: “You can call freedom of speech or not, was released due to lack of talent.”
What was the reaction from associated companies?
NexStar and Sinclair initially announced that they would pull out the program. After ABC renewed Kimmel, Sinclair said he would replace Jimmy Kimmel Live! He added with the news programming that “ABC discussion is taking place when we evaluate the potential return of the show”. Nexstar did not immediately comment.
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How did others react?
The reactions to Kimmel’s suspension and the return were sharply divided.
Former President Barack Obama said the administration has reached a “new and dangerous level” by threatening regulatory measures against the media, warning against the “coercion of the government”.
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez argued: “We cannot allow an inexcusable act of political violence to be twisted into justification for censorship and controlling the government.”
Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly called Kimmel’s comments “a nasty, disgusting lie”.
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Actor Jean Smart defended the comedian and wrote, “What Jimmy said was free speech, not hateful speech.”
Meanwhile, the Congress Democrats proposed legislation to strengthen the protection of freedom of expression, although the bill faces a small chance in the congress -led Republican. Chuck Schumer also called for the leader of the Senate to remove Carra.
(With AFP press agency inputs)
(Tagstotranslate) Jimmy Kimmel this week
