Jimmy Kimmel is back...sort of. The host returned to "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Tuesday night, less than a week after he was suspended "indefinitely" by ABC parent company Disney for comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Last Monday, Kimmel falsely implied that the man who shot Kirk was a "MAGA" Trump supporter, prompting dozens of affiliates to preempt the show ultimately leading to Disney's decision to suspend Kimmel. Now, the network says they've lifted the suspension after having "thoughtful discussions" with Kimmel...but more thoughtful discussions will be necessary to get Kimmel back on all affiliates. Both Sinclair and Nexstar say they will continue to preempt Kimmel's show until further actions are taken by the network.
If Disney was hoping to quell this controversy, they're likely in for a rude awakening. "They're bringing (Kimmel) back because of old impulses," says Nick Lindquist, political and media commentator. "But the thing that's different now is people aren't afraid to speak up and say this is not okay, he shouldn't be back...and that's why I love that Nexstar and Sinclair are sticking this out."
The decision to reinstate Kimmel reportedly came directly from Disney CEO Bob Iger. Lindquist says that should come as no surprise. "It's good to see the pushback, but we are seeing old habits come back in cable, network television, and mainstream media," he tells KTRH.
Kimmel's quick reinstatement also destroys the left's conspiracy theory that ABC and Disney are being controlled by the Trump administration and the FCC. In fact, reports now say ABC is in negotiations to extend Kimmel's contract, which is set to expire next spring.
Lindquist believes the network will eventually have to make a tough decision on Kimmel one way or another. "I think this will be similar to the Cracker Barrel fiasco we recently saw," he says. "They will try to put Jimmy Kimmel back on air and hope this goes away, but I think we live in a political environment now where this is not going to go away...and they're eventually going to have to cancel that show."
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