ABC takes Jimmy Kimmel off air ‘indefinitely’ over comments about Charlie Kirk
Disney-owned US broadcast network ABC has pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air following comments the late-night host made in the wake of the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Jimmy Kimmel
Rogers Sports & Media
Earlier in the week, Kimmel suggested the suspected shooter was a Republican and that the “MAGA gang” was “desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it.” Kirk was shot dead at a debate at Utah Valley University on September 10.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, ABC said Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be “pre-empted indefinitely,” meaning another show will replace it for the time being.
Disney’s decision came after local station group Nexstar Media Group said earlier on Wednesday that it would replace the Kimmel show for the “foreseeable future” on its owned and partner TV stations, saying it “strongly objects” to the host’s comments.
“Mr Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located,” said Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division.
“Continuing to give Mr Kimmel a broadcast platform in the communities we serve is simply not in the public interest at the current time, and we have made the difficult decision to pre-empt his show in an effort to let cooler heads prevail as we move toward the resumption of respectful, constructive dialogue.”
Nexstar is currently seeking approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its proposed US$6.2bn acquisition of fellow broadcast company Tegna.
Earlier, appearing on a podcast hosted by right-wing political commentator Benny Johnson, FCC chairman Brendan Carr called on Disney to address Kimmel’s comments and suggested the FCC may consider stepping in. He also said local station groups should “push back” on the likes of Disney and Comcast and refuse to run shows that don’t “serve the needs of our local communities.”
Fellow station group Sinclair, the largest ABC affiliate group in the US, also said it would not air Jimmy Kimmel Live!, with its vice chairman Jason Smith describing Kimmel’s remarks as “inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country.”
Sinclair said it would not lift the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! until “formal discussions” take place with ABC regarding its “commitment to professionalism and accountability.”
The company also called on Kimmel to apologise to the Kirk family, and make a “meaningful personal donation” to the Kirk family and Kirk’s non-profit organisation Turning Point USA.
US president Donald Trump celebrated the news that Kimmel was being pulled off air, writing on Truth Social: “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!”
