Jimmy Kimmel Live! to Resume Broadcast on Tuesday After Brief Suspension
Disney confirmed that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to the airwaves on Tuesday, September 22, after being temporarily pulled from broadcast due to controversy surrounding comments made by host Jimmy Kimmel about Charlie Kirk's assassination. The show was suspended following pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and some media companies, who cited concerns that Kimmel's remarks were insensitive.
According to Disney, the decision to resume the show was made after a thorough review of the situation. "We are pleased to announce that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to its regular broadcast schedule on Tuesday," said a spokesperson for Disney in a statement. The company did not provide further details on what led to the suspension or how it plans to address the controversy.
The controversy surrounding Kimmel's comments began last week when he made remarks about Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA. Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission, condemned Kimmel's comments as "insensitive" and called for the show to be suspended. Some media companies also expressed concerns about Kimmel's remarks.
The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! sparked debate about the intersection of free speech, politics, and corporate responsibility in the entertainment industry. According to experts, the incident highlights the challenges faced by late-night hosts in navigating sensitive topics while maintaining their editorial independence.
"This is a classic example of the tension between free speech and corporate interests," said media critic and professor, Mark Fisher. "Late-night hosts like Jimmy Kimmel are under pressure to be provocative and edgy, but they also have to be mindful of the potential consequences of their words."
The return of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday is expected to bring an end to the brief suspension, which lasted for several days. The show will resume its regular broadcast schedule at 11:35 PM ET.
In a statement, ABC's parent company Disney said it was pleased to have reached a resolution and looked forward to continuing to provide high-quality programming to its audience. "We are committed to maintaining our editorial independence while also being responsible corporate citizens," the spokesperson said.
The incident has sparked renewed debate about the role of late-night hosts in shaping public discourse and the limits of free speech in the entertainment industry. As Jimmy Kimmel Live! returns to the airwaves, it remains to be seen how the show will address the controversy and what impact it may have on the wider media landscape.
This story was compiled from reports by NPR News and BREAKING: NPR News.
