Ben Stiller Among Hollywood Stars React to ABC Axing Jimmy Kimmel Show: “This Isn't Right”
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The entertainment world is reacting strongly after ABC/Disney announced it has pulled ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ indefinitely.
On Wednesday, Sept. 17, a spokesperson for Disney’s ABC confirmed that the late-night show is now on hiatus with no set return date.
The move follows host Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks about the killing of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk. Kirk, 31, was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
During his Sept. 15 broadcast, Kimmel commented on the tragedy: "The MAGA Gang (is) desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it. In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”
Shortly afterward, Nexstar Media Group—the country’s largest local broadcast and digital media company—issued a statement saying it “strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.”
Nexstar is in the middle of a $6.2 billion acquisition of rival broadcaster Tegna, a deal that would give the company reach into 80% of American households with televisions. The merger still requires approval from the Trump-led Federal Communications Commission.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr praised Nexstar’s actions on Wednesday, writing on X that broadcasters are right to "it is important for broadcasters to push back on Disney programming that they determine falls short of community values."
Following the announcement, stars and public figures quickly took to social media to weigh in.
Wanda Sykes posted a video on Instagram, saying she had been scheduled to appear on the show that same night: "Let’s see. He didn’t end the Ukraine war or solve Gaza within his first week. But he did end freedom of speech within his first year. Hey, for those of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy.”
Mike Birbiglia wrote on Instagram: "I've spent a lot of time in public + private defending comedians I don't agree with. If you're a comedian + don't call out the insanity of pulling Kimmel off the air — don't bother spouting fof about free speech anymore."
Megyn Kelly suggested the backlash must have been overwhelming: "Just think for a minute about the amount of IRATE mail/viewer feedback they must have gotten to do this."
Chris Hayes says "This is the most straightforward attack on free speech from state actors I've ever seen in my life and it's not even close."
Ben Stiller also shared a post on on X, simply stating, "This isn’t right."
Sophia Bush warned: "The First Amendment doesn’t exist in America anymore. Period. Fascism is here and it’s chilling."
Alex Edelman added: "This is the actual cancel culture everyone claims to hate so much."
Lawmakers also joined the chorus.
Sen. Cory Booker shared a photo of the First Amendment text on Instagram.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett posted on X, sharing similar views:
Don Lemon warned on Threads: "The Jimmy Kimmel Live! show has been preempted indefinitely over a joke. This should send a chill down everyone’s spine in America!"
California Gov. Gavin Newsom chimed in on X: "Buying and controlling media platforms. Firing commentators. Canceling shows. These aren’t coincidences. It’s coordinated. And it’s dangerous. The @GOP does not believe in free speech. They are censoring you in real time."
Actress Alison Brie also says: “This is unreal. And very scary."
Halsey further hammering-in the point: “We're in the 'tell on your friends and neighbors', 'extreme censorship', 'indistinguishable propaganda' part of the fascism, in case it wasn't clear."
Celebrities from Kathy Griffin to Christie Brinkley, as well as politicians across the spectrum, emphasized that the issue goes far beyond one show—it raises deeper concerns about free speech, censorship, and political influence in American media.
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