Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! is back on the air with regular production crew members. This return comes after an extended suspension period that began on September 17. Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group made the move permanent. They discharged this man for a highly publicized mean tweet aimed at Kimmel in the wake of the other side’s regrettable murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. This decision effectively deprived viewers in the majority of America’s biggest cities from seeing his show. It hurt about a quarter of ABC’s local TV affiliates.
The statements that led to the suspension didn’t even address Kirk’s death directly. Instead, Kimmel tore into President Donald Trump, and more importantly, his supporters and enablers for their reaction to the incident. Kimmel later admitted the sensitivity of his remarks. On his way back, he was careful to note that he didn’t mean to downplay Kirk’s murder. He stated, “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” emphasizing his regret over the timing and clarity of his remarks.
Kimmel further acknowledged that what he said did “feel like ill-timed or confusing or perhaps both” to many people watching. This simple acknowledgment goes a long way in recognizing the difficulty in public dialogues around sensitive issues. It is especially important in the face of escalating violence and toxic political environments.
After the first suspension, Nexstar and Sinclair continued to preempt Kimmel’s show for three days. This was despite the fact that the show had returned to national airwaves through an agreement with ABC and Disney. Sinclair Vice Chairman, Jason Smith, vehemently condemned Kimmel’s original comments in a statement labeled “inappropriate and deeply insensitive.” He noted the positive response they’ve gotten from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders about what has previously aired.
Nexstar’s commitment to serving community interests through action—in this case, a smart decision to reinstate Kimmel’s show—without abandoning First Amendment rights is commendable. In a comment, a Nexstar spokesperson emphasized their dedication to upholding the First Amendment. To them, it mattered that they were broadcasting programming that reflected the best interests of the communities that they served.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr recently voiced his disagreement with the controversy. He claimed that Kimmel was attempting to “directly mislead the American public” with his retelling on the accused killer. For his part, Carr later applauded Sinclair and Nexstar for the daring decision to preemptively halt Kimmel’s show. He fought to ensure that broadcasters recognize and adhere to the important standards of their local communities.
In spite of the backlash, Kimmel expressed sympathy for gun violence victims, calling Kirk’s shooting a “senseless murder.” One way he found to get involved was through social media—expressing his support for Kirk’s family and everyone affected by these tragedies. This action only further complicates the story Mr.
