The ABC is set to reinstate Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show, after he was pulled off air last week over his comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday,” ABC said a statement.
In a monologue, Kimmel criticized “MAGA land” for attempting to exploit Kirk’s death and “the MAGA gang” for trying to portray the suspect involved in the assassination of the conservative activist,as anything other than one of them.”
Kimmel has hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC since 2003and has been a fixture in television and comedy for even longer. He has also hosted the Academy Awards four times.
Backlash to Kimmel’s comments was swift. Nexstar and Sinclair, two of ABC’s largest affiliate owners, said they would be pulling “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from their stations. Others, including several fellow comedians, came to his defense.
The suspension was met with backlash as industry peers and fans protested in support of Jimmy Kimmel.
Former President Barack Obama in the wake of Kimmel’s suspension shared his view on X: “This commentary offers a clear, powerful statement of why freedom of speech is at the heart of democracy and must be defended, whether the speaker is Charlie Kirk or Jimmy Kimmel, MAGA supporters or MAGA opponent
“First there’s this piece by David French, who devoted much of his legal career to defending the First Amendment rights of conservative writers and scholars” he encouraged everyone to read the piece for clearer view.
The former vice president Kamala Harris wrote against Kimmel’s suspension on X: “What we are witnessing is an outright abuse of power.
This administration is attacking critics and using fear as a weapon to silence anyone who would speak out. Media corporations — from television networks to newspapers — are capitulating to these threats.
“We cannot dare to be silent or complacent in the face of this frontal assault on free speech.
“We, the People, deserve better.” Harris affirmed.
The return of the show was a response to the controversy surrounding Kimmel’s comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, which led to pre-emption by some major station owners. Despite the controversy, Kimmel’s return to the airwaves was seen as a positive step towards free speech and the importance of open dialogue in the media.
Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA, the organization founded by Kirk and now headed by his widow, posted on X about Kimmel’s reinstatement: “Disney and ABC caving and allowing Kimmel back on the air is not surprising, but it’s their mistake to make. Nexstar and Sinclair do not have to make the same choice.”
President Donald Trump, one of Kimmel’s frequent targets, posted on social media that Kimmel’s suspension was “great news for America.” He also called for other late night hosts to be fired. He has yet to comment on Kimmel’s reinstatement.