Jimmy Kimmel Live! Staff Express Security Fears Amidst Show's Suspension and Online Backlash
Personnel working on Jimmy Kimmel Live! are expressing apprehension regarding their return to the talk show's set, citing “disturbing content” circulating on the internet, an exclusive report by Us Weekly reveals.
Individuals with knowledge of the matter informed Us that the staff, who lack clarity on the program's prospects, also harbor anxieties about the prospect of resuming in-person work at the facility.
That same source indicated that Jimmy Kimmel had been barraged with vitriolic remarks across his social media platforms following ABC’s choice to suspend the show’s broadcast on Thursday, September 17. According to Us's sources, the staff members are worried for their personal security and apprehend that an individual with malicious intent might target the prominent studio on Hollywood Boulevard, a location frequently visited by sightseers.
The program hosted by Kimmel was removed from broadcast schedules for an unspecified duration after the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, publicly voiced his disapproval of remarks delivered by the comedian.
Kimmel, aged 57, discussed the passing of political commentator Charlie Kirk’s death during his talk show on Monday, September 15. Kirk, 31, was fatally shot while delivering an address at a university in Utah. Law enforcement apprehended a suspect identified as Tyler Robinson.
“The MAGA faction is vigorously attempting to portray the individual who killed Charlie Kirk as distinct from their group, while also striving to gain political leverage from the incident,” Kimmel stated. “Amidst the accusations, a period of mourning was also present.”
A Look Back at Jimmy Kimmel's Initial Response to Charlie Kirk's Demise
In the course of his opening monologue, Kimmel furthermore presented footage of President Donald Trump being questioned about his emotional state following Kirk’s death. Trump responded with “very good” before transitioning to a discussion of his recently unveiled White House ballroom. Kimmel commented on the excerpt, stating, “This is not the manner in which an adult laments the homicide of an individual he considered a friend. This is akin to a 4-year-old grieving a pet goldfish.”
Carr, aged 46, exerted public influence on ABC and Disney to implement measures concerning Kimmel.
Demonstrators Convene Outside Jimmy Kimmel's Studio Following His Show's Suspension
Kimmel first addressed Kirk's death via social media. On September 10, the date of Kirk's slaying, the humorist posted, “Rather than engaging in furious blame, can we collectively acknowledge for a single day that taking another human life by shooting is dreadful and barbaric?”
Kimmel further stated, “From my family, we extend our sympathies to the Kirks and to all young ones, guardians, and blameless individuals who become casualties of indiscriminate gun violence.”
As initially conveyed by Us, the personnel of Kimmel's talk show remain uncertain about the program's continuation. An individual familiar with the production informed Us that the team was initially advised that the show would be absent from broadcast for the rest of that week. The staff members are now perplexed, having observed media accounts indicating an indefinite suspension of the show.
The choice made by ABC to remove Kimmel's program provoked considerable public response across online platforms.
California Governor Gavin Newsom commented, “Freedom of expression does not exist during Donald Trump’s administration.”
“This is unjust,” actor Ben Stiller shared on X. Actress Jean Smart uploaded an image of Kimmel to social media, expressing her “dismay” at ABC’s verdict. “Jimmy’s remarks constituted protected expression, not inflammatory discourse. Individuals appear to champion free speech solely when it aligns with THEIR objectives.”
Shonda Rhimes and Other Celebrities Respond to Jimmy Kimmel's Show Being Taken Off ABC
The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists issued a statement regarding the choice.
“SAG-AFTRA denounces the halt of Jimmy Kimmel Live! Our civilization relies upon the liberty of expression. Curtailing free speech and exacting retribution for addressing pivotal matters of public interest contravene the essential entitlements upon which we all depend,” she declared. “Democracy flourishes when a variety of perspectives are voiced. The determination to suspend the broadcast of Jimmy Kimmel Live! represents a form of stifling and reprisal that jeopardizes the liberties of all.”
The founder of Barstool Sports, Dave Portnoy, commented on the talk show's cessation. “Given Kimmel’s dismissal, I observe numerous individuals discussing the inconsistency of cancel culture. In my view, cancel culture involves people intentionally unearthing past tweets, videos, and similar content to find disparaging information about someone they dislike, with the aim of having them terminated,” he remarked.
“For instance, if Kimmel were to be canceled for actions taken during The Man Show, that would qualify as cancel culture. However, when an individual articulates something that a multitude finds objectionable, discourteous, or foolish in the moment, and subsequently faces repercussions for it, that does not constitute cancel culture. That represents accountability for one’s deeds,” concluded the Barstool Sports founder.
