Bill Maher Defends Jimmy Kimmel Amid ABC Suspension: "I Am With You, I Support You"
In a bold move, comedian and TV host Bill Maher came to the defense of his fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who was indefinitely preempted by ABC following comments he made about Charlie Kirk's assassin. During an episode of his HBO show Real Time, Maher addressed the situation head-on, expressing solidarity with Kimmel.
"I am not intimidated by the FCC," Maher declared. "And if President Trump is watching, I have one thing to say to you: have you lost weight?" The comment was a clear jab at the president's recent weight loss claims and served as a testament to Maher's unapologetic stance on free speech.
Maher's defense of Kimmel comes after the late-night host faced backlash for his comments about the individual responsible for killing Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative commentator. ABC subsequently preempted Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely, sparking outrage among fans and fellow comedians alike.
"I am with you, I support you," Maher said in reference to Kimmel's situation. "We're all in this together." This sentiment was echoed by other industry professionals, including Jay Leno, who expressed his support for Kimmel on social media.
The controversy surrounding Kimmel's comments has raised questions about the limits of free speech and the role of networks in policing their hosts' content. In 2017, Maher faced similar scrutiny when he made comments about Islam during an episode of Real Time. At the time, ABC was criticized for not taking stronger action against him.
The current situation with Kimmel has sparked a renewed debate about the importance of protecting free speech and the role of networks in maintaining editorial control. As the controversy continues to unfold, Maher's support for Kimmel serves as a reminder that comedians and late-night hosts are not alone in their struggles with censorship.
In a statement, an ABC spokesperson said the network "takes all allegations seriously" but declined further comment on the matter. The FCC has also been quiet on the issue, despite initial reports suggesting they might take action against ABC.
As the situation continues to develop, one thing is clear: Maher's defense of Kimmel has sparked a renewed conversation about the importance of free speech and the role of networks in protecting their hosts' rights.
*Reporting by Hollywoodreporter.*
