In a striking display of solidarity and concern, Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, and David Letterman collectively issued a grave warning this past Thursday: the nation, they argued, is veering dangerously close to autocracy. Their pronouncements came in the wake of ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s popular late-night program, a move reportedly triggered by immense pressure from the Trump administration.
During a powerful monologue on his own daily program, Mr. Colbert defiantly declared, “Tonight we are all Jimmy Kimmel.” He minced no words in branding ABC’s choice to “indefinitely” yank Mr. Kimmel’s show from the airwaves as nothing less than “blatant censorship.”
“When dealing with an autocrat, you simply cannot afford to concede even an inch,” Colbert asserted, his tone serious. “If ABC genuinely believes this action will appease the current administration, they are profoundly naive. It’s clear they haven’t encountered the cautionary tale that is ‘If You Give a Mouse a Kimmel.’”
Meanwhile, Jon Stewart’s show kicked off with a tongue-in-cheek public address, introducing “the all-new, government-approved ‘Daily Show’” and its “patriotically obedient host,” Mr. Stewart himself.
On “The Tonight Show,” Jimmy Fallon expressed his bewilderment: “I don’t know what’s going on. And no one does. But I do know Jimmy Kimmel, and he’s a decent, funny and loving guy and I hope he comes back.” He then defiantly declared he wouldn’t be censored, only for a voiceover to immediately provide pre-approved, complimentary commentary over his remarks, highlighting the very censorship he was denying.
These pointed criticisms from Kimmel’s peers culminated a day already marked by strong words from a true industry icon: David Letterman.
Speaking at The Atlantic Festival in Lower Manhattan, Mr. Letterman declared, “You can’t go around firing somebody because you’re fearful or trying to suck up to an authoritarian, a criminal administration in the Oval Office. That’s just not how this works.”
ABC had previously announced Wednesday evening its decision to pull Mr. Kimmel’s late-night show “indefinitely.” This came after Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, publicly criticized Kimmel’s on-air comments regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Carr went so far as to imply that his regulatory agency might pursue action against ABC affiliates, stating, “These companies can find ways to change conduct and take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the F.C.C. ahead.”
Carr’s remarks echoed a broader conservative outcry, accusing Mr. Kimmel of misrepresenting the political leanings of Tyler Robinson, the individual implicated in Kirk’s assassination. On his show, Kimmel had claimed that Trump supporters were “desperately trying” to distance themselves from Robinson, despite Utah officials reporting a recent shift in Robinson’s views towards the political left.
The indefinite hiatus of Kimmel’s show predictably ignited outrage among liberals, who quickly condemned the network for perceived censorship and for allegedly succumbing to political pressure from the Trump administration.
It was into this charged atmosphere that Colbert, Stewart, Letterman – and, to a slightly lesser degree, Fallon – threw their weight, joining the chorus of critics on Thursday.
Colbert didn’t hold back, openly mocking Carr’s public statement regarding the necessity of confronting programming that supposedly falls short of “community values.”
“Well, you know what my community values are, buster?” Mr. Colbert retorted, “Freedom of speech.”
In a nostalgic but pointed moment, Colbert even resurrected his iconic “Stephen Colbert” persona – the self-absorbed conservative political commentator he popularized during the 10-season run of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report.”
Jon Stewart’s opening segment saw him embody a humble, pro-government sycophant teetering on the brink of a nervous breakdown. His performance cleverly transcended the immediate issue of Kimmel’s suspension.
“Some naysayers may argue that this administration’s speech concerns are merely a cynical ploy, a thin gruel of a ruse, a smokescreen to obscure an unprecedented consolidation of power and unitary intimidation,” Mr. Stewart stated, his voice laced with mock deference.
“Some people would say that,” he reiterated, allowing a dramatic, pregnant pause to hang in the air. “Not me though. I think it’s great.”
These recent remarks signify the latest chapter in a long-standing tradition of solidarity among the tight-knit fraternity of late-night hosts, a group whose members have collectively commanded the airwaves for decades.
This spirit of mutual support isn’t new. In recent months, after the surprising announcement that CBS would cancel “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” the late-night community rallied. Many hosts publicly supported Mr. Colbert on their own shows, and Jimmy Kimmel even took out a billboard in Los Angeles before the Emmy Awards proclaiming, “I’m voting for Stephen” for best talk show. Ultimately, Mr. Colbert triumphed, a testament to the collective backing he received.
However, it’s worth noting that not every voice in late-night television shares the same perspective.
On his Fox News program late Thursday, Greg Gutfeld revisited the discussion surrounding Mr. Kimmel, having previously dismissed him as a “clown” the night before.
“While some argue this is an attack on free speech,” Gutfeld stated, “others believe it’s merely an excuse to drop Jimmy due to his dwindling ratings and the expense of retaining him.”
“But Kimmel is not being censored,” he continued, with a biting edge. “He can still tell jokes and malign Charlie and lie about his killer; he just needs to find another place to do it. I hear Gaza is nice this time of year.”
Trish Bendix contributed to this report.