UPDATE: Jimmy Kimmel has made a triumphant return to his late-night show on ABC following a multi-day suspension, delivering heartfelt praise for Disney executive Dana Walden during his comeback. Kimmel’s emotional monologue on September 23, 2023, highlighted the significance of support from Walden, who is a leading contender to succeed Bob Iger as Disney CEO.
Kimmel, speaking at the Bloomberg Screentime media conference on Wednesday, emphasized Walden’s crucial role in navigating his suspension. “I don’t think the result would have been as positive if I hadn’t talked to Dana as much as I did,” he stated, underscoring the gravity of his ordeal. His return to the airwaves follows a decision by ABC to pull him off the air after controversial remarks regarding Charlie Kirk and former President Donald Trump that had sparked backlash.
During his return, Kimmel expressed frustration over the suspension, stating, “I did not agree with that decision, and I told them that, and we had many conversations.” His comments came after the Federal Communications Commission’s Brendan Carr criticized Kimmel’s statements, leading to ABC affiliate station groups Nexstar and Sinclair refusing to air his show.
Kimmel’s return generated significant viewer interest, as he addressed the situation with a mix of humor and seriousness, targeting both Carr and Trump while advocating for free speech. “What happened over the last three weeks was very unfair to my bosses; it was insane,” Kimmel remarked, drawing attention to the pressures faced by late-night hosts in today’s media landscape.
His return to the show has already resulted in strong ratings, indicating that audiences are eager to see how he will navigate the complexities of late-night television in a politically charged environment. Kimmel also revealed that he would welcome Trump as a guest, saying, “I’d love to have Trump on the show, for sure. All right, I’ll ask him.”
As Kimmel continues to push boundaries in his late-night format, his relationship with Disney executives like Walden will likely remain pivotal as he navigates future challenges. Watch for potential developments regarding Walden’s position within Disney as Iger prepares to step down next year, as this story continues to evolve.
