Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Fallon kicked off their late-night programs on Thursday in solidarity with suspended ABC host Jimmy Kimmel, blending humor and support into their segments. Stewart used satire to criticize ABC’s decision to indefinitely suspend “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” following Kimmel’s comments on conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination. In contrast, Colbert condemned the suspension as “blatant censorship,” while Fallon expressed admiration for Kimmel and committed to continuing his show as usual. However, a voiceover interjected during Fallon’s segment, replacing his criticisms of President Donald Trump with praises.
The guests on the shows following Kimmel’s suspension, which occurred two months after CBS announced the cancellation of Colbert’s show, were diverse. Fallon welcomed actor Jude Law, journalist Tom Llamas, and actor-singer Jonathan Groff, none of whom touched upon Kimmel’s situation. On the other hand, Stewart and Colbert featured guests who could address concerns of censorship raised by Kimmel’s suspension. For instance, Stewart interviewed journalist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Maria Ressa, who shared insights on dealing with challenging situations.
Stewart made a special appearance on his show, adopting a compliant tone and mocking Trump’s policies and actions, such as deploying the National Guard to combat crime in cities. The set was transformed to parody Trump’s excessive use of gold accents in the Oval Office. Stewart humorously fidgeted and cautioned the audience, maintaining a satirical approach throughout the segment. Meanwhile, Fallon addressed Kimmel’s suspension empathetically in his monologue, highlighting Kimmel’s character and hoping for his return.
Kimmel faced suspension after making controversial remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination on his show, leading to ABC’s decision following pressure from various stakeholders, including FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. The suspension sparked debates on misinformation and freedom of speech, with conflicting interpretations of Kimmel’s comments. Similarly, CBS announced the upcoming cancellation of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” raising financial concerns but coincidentally following Colbert’s critique of a corporate settlement involving Trump.
Colbert and his predecessor, David Letterman, reacted to Kimmel’s suspension, voicing support for Kimmel and criticism of government interference in media. Colbert emphasized the importance of free speech and resistance to undue influence, echoing concerns about authoritarian tactics in media regulation. Letterman echoed these sentiments at a public event, cautioning against acquiescing to authoritarian pressures and advocating for media independence and integrity.
Overall, the late-night hosts navigated a complex media landscape, addressing censorship, freedom of expression, and political pressures in their segments with a mix of humor, critique, and solidarity.
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