Recommendations of the Editorial team
“Jimmy Kimmel Live” is back. ABC and Disney had last week The long-standing late night show abruptly suspended. The reason was a “poorly timed and therefore unsensitive” monologue, in which Kimmel criticized right -wing extremists who tried to keep “political capital” out of the murder of Charlie Kirk. Kimmel was silent as many voices from Hollywood defended him. Well, after the show was resumed, he expressed himself for the first time.
Thanks to supporters and critics
Under thunderous applause and “Jimmy! Jimmy!” Calls of the audience, Kimmel thanked his supporters across the country and colleagues such as Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Conan O’Brien, James Corden, Jay Leno, Howard Stern and David Letterman.
“Perhaps the most I would like to thank the people who do not support my show and my views, but defend my right to express these views,” he said. “People like Ben Shapiro, Clay Travis, Candace Owens, Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul. Even my old buddy Ted Cruz said something very nice in my favor.”
He added: “Even if I almost never agree with many of these people and some things they say is almost nausea – it takes courage to face this government and they did it. They deserve recognition for that.”
Clarification of his statements about Charlie Kirk
Emotionally, with a brittle voice, Kimmel then spoke about his earlier comments on Kirk’s murder: “It was never my intention to ridicule the murder of a young man.”
He had already published an Instagram message on the day of the crime in which he sent the family sympathy-and he still means that. “It was also not my intention to blame a certain group – it was a deeply disturbed person. I actually wanted to say the opposite.” He understood for those who felt injured. “If it had been the other way around, I would probably have felt the same way.”
Criticism of attempts to government to silence him
Later in the monologue, Kimmel criticized the efforts of the Trump government to take him out of the program: “I hardly paid attention to school at school, but I learned one thing from Lenny Bruce, George Carlin and Howard Stern: a government that tries to put a comedian to mouth just because the president does not like him is anti-American.”
From left to the middle there is solidarity, according to Kimmel: “Perhaps this is the positive side – that we have found a point in which we match. Maybe we will even find another one. Maybe we’ll get a little closer together.”
Guests of the show and review of Norman Lear
In his first broadcast after the suspension, Kimmel Glen Powell welcomed as a studio guest, the musical accompaniment came from Sarah McLachlan. In the coming days, Ethan Hawke, Lisa Ann Walter, Yungblud, Peyton Manning, Oscar Nuñez and Alex G are to appear.
Before the broadcast, Kimmel divided a photo with Norman Lear on Instagram, with the words: “Miss this man today.” Lear, a defender of freedom of expression, once complained to FCC together with the Writers Guild of America West.
Criticism from the FCC and reactions of the broadcaster
FCC chairman Brendan Carr accused Kimmel to have given the impression that the perpetrator was politically motivated and called this “sick”. However, Kimmel’s original words had referred to the attempt by the “Maga Gang” to present the perpetrator as apolitical and at the same time to politically capitalize.
The interpretation of Carrs reinforced the pressure of the Trump government and conservative media, which ultimately led to suspension.
Not all spectators were able to follow Kimmels comeback: While Disney officially announced the return, the media companies Sinclair and Nexstar, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” still not to be radiated. Nexstar justified this, and its own broadcaster wanted to concentrate on local news and programs for their markets.