Late-night TV show Jimmy Kimmel Live! was suspended 'indefinitely" last week following remarks Kimmel made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk's death, Disney, the parent company of the ABC network, has just announced that the nighttime chatfest will return on Tuesday, September 23. Per People, Disney issued a statement about the end of Kimmel's nearly week-long suspension.
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"Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country. It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive. We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday."
Kimmel's Remarks About Charlie Kirk's Murder Generated Controversy
Comments that Jimmy Kimmel made about the murder of Charlie Kirk on September 10 began the TV tumult. During his monologue on September 15, Kimmel said this, per the outlet. "We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it. In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving."
The comic went on. "On Friday, the White House flew the flags at half staff, which got some criticism, but on a human level, you can see how hard the president is taking this." Kimmel them showed a video clip of reporters asking President Donald Trump how he was handling Kirk's passing. Trump answered, then changed the subject to the ongoing construction of a massive new ballroom at the White House.
Kimmel quipped, "Yes, he's at the fourth stage of grief, construction."
The Late Night Host Had Extended Condolences to Kirk's Family
Before the program with the remarks in question aired, Kimmel wrote this on social media. "Instead of the angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human? On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fall victim to senseless gun violence."
There Was a Spirited Debate About Freedom of Speech
The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! touched off a heated nationwide argument about freedom of speech. Per the outlet, many other prominent late night personalities past and present backed Kimmel. Among them were David Letterman, Jon Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, and Conan O'Brien.
Before news broke that Kimmel was returning, hundreds of individuals from the entertainment world put their names on a letter supporting Kimmel and free speech. That American Civil Liberties Union letter was signed by Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Jennifer Aniston, and Martin Short, among others.
