Late-night TV has been shaken up after Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC talk show was suddenly suspended, and fellow host Jimmy Fallon has now shared his thoughts.
On Thursday, September 18, Fallon opened his show by addressing the big story.
“Well guys, the big story is that Jimmy Kimmel was suspended by ABC after pressure from the FCC, leaving everyone thinking, ‘What’s going on?’” Fallon told his audience.
He joked that he had woken up to 100 text messages from his dad, who thought his show had been canceled instead. Fallon then got serious, adding:
“I don’t know what’s really happening, and no one does, but I do know Jimmy Kimmel. He’s a decent, loving, and funny guy, and I hope he comes back.”
Fallon went on to reassure viewers that despite the controversy, he would continue doing his comedy as usual. To prove the point, he started making jokes about President Trump’s recent trip to the U.K.
But instead of finishing his sentences, Fallon let his announcer fill in the punchlines with exaggerated compliments about Trump’s looks, tie, and even his hair. The back-and-forth ended with the announcer declaring Trump worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize.
Fallon then closed the segment by saying, “See, we can still say what we want.”
Just hours before his show aired, Fallon made headlines for another reason. He unexpectedly canceled an appearance at the Fast Company Innovation Festival in New York City, where he was supposed to discuss his upcoming NBC series On Brand.
Event organizers released a short statement saying Fallon was “no longer able to attend,” but did not give further details.
Kimmel’s suspension came after his controversial monologue about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed during a Utah Valley University event on September 10.
During his September 15 broadcast, Kimmel criticized right-wing groups for the way they reacted to the tragedy. He said they were “desperately trying to spin the story for political points.”
He also took aim at former President Trump’s response, joking that Trump seemed more focused on White House renovations than grieving. “This is not how an adult grieves the murder of a friend,” Kimmel said. “This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
The comments caused major backlash. Nexstar Media, which owns several TV stations, condemned Kimmel’s remarks and reportedly pressured ABC to act. By Wednesday, September 17, ABC announced:
“Jimmy Kimmel Live will be pre-empted indefinitely.”
That night, a rerun of Celebrity Family Feud aired in its place.
As of now, Kimmel’s future at ABC remains uncertain. He has not yet made a public statement about the suspension. Meanwhile, Fallon and other late-night hosts are watching closely, as the decision has sparked concerns about free speech and censorship in comedy.
For now, Fallon is standing by his fellow host, saying what many fans are hoping too: “I hope he comes back.”
0 Comments