There’s been quite a stir over the last couple of days regarding Disney’s decision to indefinitely pause Jimmy Kimmel Live. It seems that both sides might be on a path toward reconciliation.
According to a report from Variety, discussions are underway between Kimmel’s legal and business representatives and ABC to potentially revive the show. This comes after Kimmel’s program was interrupted due to pressures from Nexstar and Sinclair, two major TV station owners in the U.S. who expressed their intentions to pre-empt or even pull the show from the air over Kimmel’s remarks regarding the death of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
These actions were triggered by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who threatened ABC after Kimmel’s controversial comments on how conservatives were using Kirk’s death for political gain. While Nexstar is currently pursuing a deal to acquire Tegna, they maintain that this situation had no influence on their decision-making. Sinclair has demanded a public apology and a personal donation from Kimmel to both Kirk’s family and Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk’s widow now leads.
Kimmel is said to be mindful of the impact this halt has on his staff, especially those still affected by the ongoing Hollywood strikes. According to Deadline, crew members will receive their pay next week, which could signal a hopeful return. Even though Kimmel remains with Disney, hosting Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and other projects, the implications of the pause on Live could have a ripple effect throughout his career.
Regardless of the outcome, the suspension of Kimmel’s show has sparked a variety of responses. While conservatives have celebrated the indefinite hiatus, protests have erupted outside Disney’s offices in New York and Burbank, as well as at the theater where the show is filmed. Numerous creators and actors, including writer Dan Gilroy of Andor, have expressed their support for Kimmel. Furthermore, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner criticized current CEO Bob Iger for bowing to the FCC’s pressure, leading to a surge in canceled Disney+ subscriptions and other network services.
Will Kimmel’s show return? That remains to be seen, but the entertainment industry is watching closely.
What impact could this incident have on Disney’s future projects?
This situation could lead to greater scrutiny of Disney’s programming choices, affecting how they navigate creative freedom and corporate pressures in the future.
How are viewers reacting to the show’s hiatus?
The audience has expressed mixed feelings, with some supporting Kimmel while others have condemned his comments, leading to protests and subscription cancellations.
Will Kimmel’s crew remain financially stable during this shutdown?
Yes, they will be paid next week, indicating that Kimmel is taking steps to support his team during this uncertain period.
What are Nexstar’s motivations for pausing the show?
Nexstar’s move seems influenced by the potential impact on their FCC acquisition efforts, amid rising backlash against Kimmel’s comments.
As this situation develops, it will be interesting to see how it unfolds. For now, stay tuned for updates and insights from io9 on this captivating topic.
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