Jimmy Kimmel Live! is scheduled to resume broadcast Tuesday. This follows on the heels of an indefinite preemption that ABC declared on September 17. The fallout was immediate, as the network decided within a matter of hours to halt production on the late-night show. This reaction followed initial host Jimmy Kimmel’s own remarks that some deemed highly inappropriate in today’s hypersensitive national climate.
The Walt Disney Co., which owns ABC, announced immediately following their decision to preempt the show. First and foremost, they wanted to prevent further polarizing an already polarized situation in the country. Last Wednesday, production on Jimmy Kimmel Live! was stopped in its tracks—an unprecedented turn for the hugely successful late-night juggernaut.
Kimmel has not publicly responded to the preemption so far. As of the last few days, he’s been in discussion with network executives about the show’s eventual return. It was all confirmed by the Walt Disney Co. as being very fruitful discussions. Artistically, they were responsible for the creative choice to focus most episodes on one or two people.
“Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country. It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive,” – The Walt Disney Co.
The network indicated that it has carefully considered the implications of Kimmel’s remarks, which likely contributed to the show’s temporary suspension. In the wake of the events discussed above, execs from The Walt Disney Co. spoke to the need for sensitivity in programming.
“We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.” – The Walt Disney Co.
As viewers anticipate the show’s return, it remains to be seen how Kimmel will address the preceding events during his first episode back. Jimmy Kimmel Live!, airing on ABC, has long been a staple of late-night television, known for its mix of humor and commentary on current events.
