US comedian Jimmy Kimmel is set to return to his late-night talk show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” on Tuesday following a suspension that occurred after he made comments about the death of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. Disney, which owns the network airing the show, announced the suspension, stating that some comments made by Kimmel were “ill-timed and thus insensitive.” The decision to reinstate the show came after discussions between Kimmel and Disney.
The suspension was triggered by threats from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which hinted at potential action against ABC’s broadcast license. The situation has sparked debates around free speech issues in the media. Former President Donald Trump expressed approval of Kimmel’s suspension, suggesting some networks should face consequences for critical coverage of him. However, he did not comment on Kimmel’s reinstatement during a recent event.
Glen Powell is scheduled to be Kimmel’s guest on the returning show. Meanwhile, Sinclair, the largest ABC affiliate group in the US, announced plans to replace Kimmel’s show with news programming across its stations, indicating that discussions with ABC about the show’s future are ongoing. Nexstar Media, another major TV station owner, also stated it would not air Kimmel’s show for the foreseeable future, without commenting on his reinstatement.
The suspension was prompted by Kimmel’s comments during a monologue on September 15, where he criticized political narratives surrounding Kirk’s death. His remarks drew significant backlash, leading to demands from ABC for an apology and a donation to Kirk’s non-profit organization. Following the suspension announcement, notable figures in the entertainment industry, including various celebrities and advocacy groups, protested against what they deemed censorship and a violation of free speech rights.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c701jr01dj2o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss