Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Fallon kicked off their late-night programs on Thursday with a blend of humor and support for suspended ABC host Jimmy Kimmel. Stewart used satire to criticize ABC’s decision to indefinitely suspend “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” after Kimmel’s remarks on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Colbert took a more serious tone, labeling the suspension as “blatant censorship.”
Fallon commended Kimmel and pledged to continue his show as usual, only to have an announcer interject and replace his critiques of President Donald Trump with compliments. The guests on the shows following Kimmel’s suspension were diverse. Fallon welcomed actor Jude Law, journalist Tom Llamas, and actor/singer Jonathan Groff, none of whom addressed Kimmel’s situation.
Stewart and Colbert featured guests who addressed concerns about censorship raised by Kimmel’s suspension. Journalist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Maria Ressa conversed with Stewart, sharing insights on navigating challenging situations, drawing from her experiences at the news site Rappler under the administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
Stewart made a special appearance, mocking Kimmel’s suspension with a voiceover emphasizing compliance with the establishment. He humorously praised the president and parodied Trump’s criticisms of major cities and deployment of the National Guard.
Colbert, starting with a revamped version of the song “Be Our Guest” from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” expressed solidarity with Kimmel and his team. He defended the importance of freedom of speech amid comments from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr regarding broadcasters’ responsibilities in aligning with community values.
The discussions on the shows underscored the escalating tensions between media personalities and government authorities, with concerns over censorship and control of free expression coming to the forefront.
The swift suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” following Kimmel’s comments on Charlie Kirk’s assassination sparked a debate on misinformation and censorship, with conflicting views on the implications of Kimmel’s statements and the actions taken by ABC and the FCC.
The late-night hosts’ responses to Kimmel’s suspension shed light on the challenges faced by media figures in balancing freedom of expression with potential repercussions from regulatory bodies and corporate interests. The evolving dynamics between media, politics, and public discourse continue to shape the landscape of late-night television.