ABC’s abrupt and indefinite halt of Jimmy Kimmel’s show triggered immediate responses from his fellow comedians and industry peers on Wednesday. People were already queued up in Hollywood, prepared to attend that evening’s recording, when the announcement came that Jimmy Kimmel Live! had been pulled off the air following the host’s recent comments regarding the killing of Charlie Kirk. Even scheduled guests were caught off guard by the sudden cancellation.
Criticism ranging from “unfair” to an “assault on free speech” quickly proliferated across social media platforms as word of the suspension circulated. Actor Paul Scheer took to Threads to express his disbelief, highlighting a clip of Fox & Friends co-host Brian Kilmeade suggesting “involuntary lethal injection” for the homeless. Although Kilmeade later apologized for his statement, neither he nor the program faced suspension.
Actor and former wrestler Kevin Nash condemned ABC’s decision as “pathetic” and declared that he would no longer watch the network’s programming at home. He questioned the network’s commitment to freedom of speech in such challenging times, emphasizing the need for courage in America.
Comedian Wanda Sykes, who was slated to appear on the show that night, insinuated that the suspension was influenced by political pressure from the Trump administration. She criticized the president for allegedly curbing freedom of speech within his first year in office.
Alex Edelman, a comedian and actor currently starring in The Paper, a spinoff of The Office, characterized the situation as the very “cancel culture” that many claim to oppose.
Ben Stiller shared a brief but pointed message expressing his disapproval of the situation. Former entertainment reporter Ali Carbone voiced concerns about the potential impact of Kimmel’s suspension on other politically inclined shows like Saturday Night Live and South Park, which frequently satirize Trump. She questioned whether comedians such as Jimmy Fallon and John Oliver would face similar repercussions for their political commentary and humor.
In conclusion, the sudden suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! has stirred a heated debate about freedom of speech and political influence in the entertainment industry, with many questioning the future of politically charged comedy shows in the current climate.