Stephen Colbert Criticizes Disney's Suspension of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'
Stephen Colbert has criticized Disney's decision to suspend 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' following comments made by Kimmel about Charlie Kirk's death.
During a recent monologue on CBS' 'The Late Show,' Stephen Colbert criticized Disney's decision to suspend 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' following comments made by Kimmel regarding the death of Charlie Kirk. Colbert emphasized the importance of free speech, stating, "You know what my community values are, Buster? Freedom of speech. Or, as Alexander Hamilton called it, 'Hakuna Matata.'"
The suspension occurred after Kimmel commented on the political reactions to Kirk's death, leading to criticism from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who described Kimmel's remarks as "some of the sickest conduct possible." Subsequently, local station Nexstar announced it would preempt 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' indefinitely, citing strong objections to Kimmel's comments.
Colbert's remarks come in the wake of his own show's cancellation by CBS earlier this year. While the network attributed the decision to financial reasons, some speculated it was politically motivated, especially after Colbert criticized CBS' parent company, Paramount, for settling a lawsuit with President Trump. Upon winning an Emmy for Outstanding Talk Series, Colbert reflected, "Sometimes you only truly know how much you love something when you get a sense that you might be losing it."
Colbert and Kimmel, along with fellow late-night hosts Seth Meyers and John Oliver, have collaborated in the past, notably co-hosting the 'Strike Force Five' podcast during the 2023 writers' strike.