Jimmy Kimmel will be returning to ABC. This makes it look a lot like ABC never really meant the suspension to last. The decision was first announced to the public on X:
The reinstatement came after "several days of discussions."
The Walt Disney Company announced Monday that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to air on Tuesday following a weeklong suspension over his monologue about Charlie Kirk’s murder.
In a statement, Disney said it halted production last Wednesday “to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country.” The company added that “some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive.”
Executives said they spent several days in discussions with Kimmel before concluding the late-night program could resume.
The suspension from ABC followed remarks by Kimmel in which he claimed MAGA activist Kirk was killed by other supporters of President Trump — despite authorities saying the alleged killer how a leftist social media history.
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner wasn't happy about the decision to drop Kimmel in the time-out box.
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner blasted the decision, accusing the company of yielding to “out-of-control intimidation” from federal regulators.
ABC affiliates including Nexstar and Sinclair had threatened to preempt the show unless action was taken, and FCC Chair Brendan Carr publicly warned the company could face additional scrutiny if it did not intervene.
It would have been interesting to have been a fly on the wall in those no doubt "heartfelt" discussions.
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When ABC first applied boot to derriere and launched Kimmel off the stage, it was cast as a First Amendment issue by some on the left. That's a canard; ABC is a private enterprise and may fire any entertainer for any reason they like without there being a First Amendment case involved.
But the timing of all this makes it look like it was nothing more than an empty gesture. When Kimmel made his (irresponsible, hateful, dishonest) remarks, it looks now like ABC just tried to yank him out of the spotlight until the whole thing had blown over, and Kimmel's embarrassing remarks were forgotten.
If that was their intent, they pulled the pin much too soon. Kimmel is returning to his show, "Jimmy Kimmel Live," on Tuesday. This wasn't a suspension. It most certainly wasn't a dismissal. It was handing Kimmel a lecture and a few mental health days, which I think we can all agree he badly needs, and then giving him his show back.
Still, we have to wonder about how many people will be tuning in. If Kimmel's ratings crash to an even lower level than they were, his tenure may not last; this time, his removal may be permanent, in favor of a late-night host who is more entertaining and less hostile to half the potential viewing audience. Now that would be satisfying.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned.
Editor's Note: The mainstream media continues to deflect, gaslight, spin, and lie about President Trump, his administration, and conservatives.
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