Jimmy Kimmel's Controversial Return to ABC Draws Record Ratings Amidst Backlash
Jimmy Kimmel's return to ABC after a controversial suspension drew record ratings, attracting 6.26 million broadcast viewers and 26 million social media views, despite criticism.
To Cancel or Not to Cancel –
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Mother Jones
Kimmel apologizes for Kirk comments; Trump fumes at return
World News Group
Charlie Kirk's producer dismisses Kimmel's explanation: 'Not good enough'
Washington Examiner
Jimmy Kimmel Ran Right at His Critics
The Atlantic
Kimmel makes the case for free speech
The Spectator World
Nexstar joins Sinclair in preempting Jimmy Kimmel's return to TV
Washington Examiner
Nolte: Jimmy Kimmel’s Return Is Another MAGA Win
Breitbart News
ABC reinstates Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show
World News Group
Sinclair says it won't show Jimmy Kimmel after ABC announces host's return
Washington Examiner
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Overview
- Jimmy Kimmel returned to ABC after a brief suspension following controversial remarks about a man accused of shooting Charlie Kirk, sparking public backlash.
- His emotional comeback monologue defended free speech but notably offered no apology for his initial comments, drawing sharp criticism from various sources including conservatives and Rob Schneider.
- President Trump criticized ABC for reinstating Kimmel, suggesting legal action, while celebrity supporters like Ben Stiller and Stephen King praised his return.
- Despite the controversy and some Nexstar and Sinclair affiliates preempting his show, Kimmel's return garnered record ratings for ABC.
- The show attracted 6.26 million broadcast viewers, triple its average, and his monologue amassed over 26 million views on social media platforms, marking a decade-high.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the story neutrally, focusing on factual reporting of events and presenting diverse reactions without editorial bias. They detail Kimmel's record ratings and the context of his suspension, then balance his on-air response with criticisms from figures like Donald Trump and Andrew Kolvet, and support from Ben Stiller, allowing readers to form their own conclusions.
"Kudos to Kimmel for what he said about the Kirks, free speech"
USA TODAY"The much-anticipated episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" following the comedian's return from his suspension drew a broadcast audience about four times larger than average, according to Nielsen ratings data."
CBS News"Jimmy Kimmel's return to late night TV after a near weeklong suspension brought his show its highest ratings in a decade, Disney has said."
BBC News"Kimmel's monologue received applause by many outside the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles Tuesday night with social media posts calling the speech "moving," "historic" and a "must-watch.""
USA TODAY"Kimmel managed the sharp increase in viewers despite his show not airing on any affiliates owned by Nexstar Media or Sinclair Broadcast Group, as both companies have chosen to continue to preempt the comedian."
USA TODAY"Kimmel pointed out that in 2022, Carr wrote a post saying that "political satire is one of the oldest and most important forms of free speech.""
ARS Technica"Nexstar is continuing to evaluate the status of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on our ABC-affiliated local television stations, and the show will be pre-empted while we do so."
Deadline"Kimmel also acknowledged that putting him back on the air put ABC at risk because the "president of the United States made it very clear he wants to see me and the hundreds of people who work here fired from our jobs.""
USA TODAY"Kimmel's return, which earned criticism from President Donald Trump, comes after media companies Nexstar Media Group, Inc. and Sinclair Broadcast Group announced they will continue their suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on their ABC affiliate stations."
USA TODAY"Kimmel said: “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man."
Associated Press"The dismissive reaction to Kimmel’s return suggested the fallout from the 57-year-old late night host's remarks is far from over."
USA TODAY"Kimmel argued he was Trump's next target after the president was "able to squeeze" Stephen Colbert out at CBS, which canceled Colbert's "The Late Show" in July."
USA TODAY"Kimmel made it clear that he would keep doing what he does best as long as ABC would let him."
Gizmodo"Kimmel criticized statements from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, calling them efforts at "un-American" censorship and thanked his supporters, fellow late-night comics and even conservatives, such as Ben Shapiro and Ted Cruz, for speaking out."
ABC News"Kimmel insisted he had not wanted to blame any specific group for Kirk's murder."
BBC News"Kimmel's return was met with enthusiasm from celebrities and politicians, and sourness from some."
Business Insider"Kimmel expressed gratitude for the support he received during his suspension and emphasized the importance of free speech, even from those with whom he disagrees."
Associated Press"Kimmel said, however, that he wanted to make one thing clear: "It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.""
NPR"Kimmel’s own grace under pressure was on display with his dedication to his craft and POV."
Deadline"Kimmel's return to the air followed a political and media firestorm that began after the comedian addressed Kirk's slaying in a Sept. 15 monologue."
CBS News"Kimmel added that Jimmy Kimmel Live! is not important but what is important is “that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.”"
Deadline"What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this."
USA TODAY"Trump threatened to sue ABC over its decision to bring back the late-night TV host on-air."
USA TODAY"Trump's comments reflect a hostile and aggressive stance towards ABC and Jimmy Kimmel, indicating a desire to retaliate against perceived injustices."
Deadline"Kimmel's suspension sparked widespread outrage among Kimmel's high-profile friends and supporters, from David Letterman to former President Barack Obama."
USA TODAY"The media giant, having taken some lumps from viewers and Hollywood during the nearly weeklong crisis, now will be taking a harder look at its options with Sinclair and Nexstar."
Deadline"The short answer is no."
Deadline"Yet Trump's idea of broadening the power of the FCC hasn't taken off in MAGA world."
USA TODAY"The broadcaster announced Kimmel’s impending return on Monday, but the show remains a political lightning rod."
Chicago Tribune"Kimmel is expected to return Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 11:35 p.m. ET/10:35 p.m. CT, although any affiliates owned by Sinclair or Nexstar won't be carrying the show."
USA TODAY"Nexstar announced today that it is joining Sinclair in continuing their previous plans to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely."
Gizmodo"Kimmel's remarks on the death of Kirk, who was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, earned criticism from Brendan Carr, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission."
USA TODAY"Nexstar Media on Tuesday said it will continue to preempt "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on its television stations when the late-night show returns tonight after an almost week-long hiatus on ABC."
CBS News"Nexstar Media Group said Tuesday that the ABC stations it owns and partners with will not resume airing 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' even as Disney brings the program back nationally."
NBC News"Nexstar said that it will continue to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live!, meaning that the late-night host’s return on Tuesday night won’t have carriage in nearly a quarter of ABC‘s affiliate reach."
Deadline"Kimmel is set to return to late-night television Tuesday after a nearly weeklong suspension that triggered a national discussion about freedom of speech and President Donald Trump’s ability to police the words of journalists, commentators and even comics."
Chicago Tribune"The world of late-night is happy to have Jimmy Kimmel back."
USA TODAY"Kimmel is set to return to late-night television Tuesday after a nearly weeklong suspension that triggered a national discussion about freedom of speech and President Donald Trump’s ability to police the words of journalists, commentators and even comics."
Associated PressArticles (129)
FAQ
Jimmy Kimmel made controversial comments about the man accused of shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk, suggesting that Trump supporters were trying to distance the shooter from the right-wing, which sparked public backlash and was seen as misleading by some authorities.
ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel's show to reevaluate the show's direction and ensure alignment with the network's values after concerns over inappropriate and insensitive content and in response to public backlash and pressure from advertisers and regulators.
The public reaction was divided; conservatives and figures like President Trump criticized ABC and suggested legal action, while celebrity supporters like Ben Stiller and Stephen King praised Kimmel's return. His comeback monologue defending free speech without an apology further intensified criticism.
Jimmy Kimmel's return drew record ratings, attracting 6.26 million broadcast viewers—three times its average—and his monologue received over 26 million views on social media, marking a decade-high despite some stations preempting the show.
Federal regulators, particularly FCC Chair Brendan Carr, pressured ABC by threatening license reviews, and some Nexstar and Sinclair affiliate stations preempted the show, contributing to the show's indefinite suspension due to regulatory and affiliate concerns.
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