Introduction to the Controversy
Sinclair, a television broadcaster group, had planned to replace the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" time slot on its ABC-connected stations with a special news segment about Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who was murdered earlier this month. However, the company abruptly changed its decision and announced that it would publish the Kirk special on YouTube instead, allowing viewers to continue enjoying ABC programs.
The Decision to Pull the Plug
On Friday, the 11:35 p.m. time slot on ABC was filled with a rerun of "Celebrity Family Feud" hosted by Steve Harvey. This decision came after Sinclair and another large ABC partner, Nexstar Media Group, pulled "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" from their schedules due to comments made by Kimmel about Kirk’s murderer. Kimmel had stated that the killer was "one of them," referring to the MAGA gang, which outraged some supporters.
The FCC’s Involvement
The chairman of the FCC, Brendan Carr, made comments on a conservative podcast that strongly implied that ABC and its affiliated companies would be targeted by the agency if they did not take action against Kimmel. Carr stated, "We can do this in a simple way or on the hard tour." Following these comments, an ABC spokesman announced that "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" would be pulled indefinitely.
The Aftermath
Kimmel did not comment on the matter, but it is reported that he and Disney executives are in talks to bring the show back on the air. Sinclair, known for its conservative politics, called for Kimmel to apologize to Kirk’s family and make a "meaningful personal donation" to them and the Turning Point USA organization.
The Special Tribute to Charlie Kirk
Sinclair had planned to air a 55-minute special tribute to Kirk, titled "The National News Desk: Special Edition; Life and Legacy of Charlie Kirk." The special was described as a detailed look at Kirk’s life and legacy, as well as a discussion on political violence and its impact on young voices in democracy.
Sinclair’s Reach
Sinclair operates 38 ABC affiliates, including stations in major cities such as Washington, D.C., Seattle, and St. Louis. The company’s decision to pull "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and replace it with a rerun of "Celebrity Family Feud" was seen as a significant move in the controversy surrounding Kimmel’s comments.
The Replacement Episode
The episode of "Celebrity Family Feud" that aired on Friday was originally broadcast on August 21 and featured celebrities such as Normani and Jason Ritter competing for charity. The prize money from the show goes to the selected charity organizations of the winning celebrities.
