Jimmy Kimmel’s comeback to TV has been somewhat derailed after ABC affiliate Sinclair Broadcasting Group has doubled down on their decision to unplug his late night show.
Sinclair and Nexstar Media – who operate and own a large numbers of ABC broadcasting affiliates across the US – said it would not air Jimmy Kimmel Live! following Kimmel’s comments in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death.
In the monologue for Monday’s show, the 57-year-old claimed that the ‘MAGA gang’ was trying to gain political points over the incident.
This led to ABC ‘indefinitely’ suspensing Jimmy Kimmel Live!, attracting a huge amount of backlash from over 400 celebrities in an open letter, as Donald Trump declared he’d been fired for ‘lack of talent’.
Yesterday ABC and Disney announced in a joint statement Kimmel would be returning to the air on Tuesday evening, in a complete U-turn from their previous decision.
‘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,’ a statement from ABC and Disney said.
‘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.’
However the show faces a roadblock, as Sinclair – which has long-standing ties to Trump and US conservative politics – is doubling down on its decision to keep the show off air, even after ABC and Disney’s backtrack.
‘Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming. Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return,’ the company said.
A ‘preemption’ is when the owners of an affiliate replace national programming with their own.
Among some 38 ABC affiliates, Sinclair owns WJLA in Washington, which means the city which is home to The White House will not be able to watch Jimmy Kimmel Live! tonight.
‘Mr Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,’ said Sinclair’s Vice Chairman Jason Smith making the suspension announcement.
‘We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities. We appreciate FCC Chairman Carr’s remarks today and this incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks.’
A statement from the company added: ‘Sinclair also calls upon Mr Kimmel to issue a direct apology to the Kirk family. Furthermore, we ask Mr Kimmel to make a meaningful personal donation to the Kirk Family and Turning Point USA.’
Sinclair’s ABC stations aired a special in remembrance of Kirk on Friday during the Jimmy Kimmel Live! timeslot.
Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was a close ally of President Donald Trump and an infamous commenter on issues including trans rights and gun control. He was fatally shot in the neck while speaking to students in Utah.
After Kimmel caused outrage when he made the following comments: ‘We had some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and with everything they can to score political points from it.
He also mentioned Trump and sarcastically said how ‘hard the President is taking this’, before playing a clip of the politician being asked about Kirk’s death and pointing out construction of the White House.
Before the show in question aired and Kimmel made the comments, the TV presenter offered his condolences to Kirk’s family.
The TV star wrote on social media at the time: ‘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.’
In the 2016 presidential election, The Guardian reported that Sinclair told Trump: ‘We are here to deliver your message.’ At this time, Sinclair reached a reported 70% of US households.
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