Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Fallon opened their late-night shows Thursday using a blend of humor and solidarity regarding the suspension of ABC host Jimmy Kimmel.
Stewart opted for satire while critiquing ABC for indefinitely suspending Jimmy Kimmel Live! after remarks Kimmel made concerning the assassination of the conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Colbert adopted a more serious tone, deeming the suspension as blatant censorship. Meanwhile, Fallon praised Kimmel and continued his show as planned, despite an announcer interrupting him and downgrading his critiques of President Donald Trump.
The guests on the night following Kimmel’s suspension varied across the shows. Fallon welcomed actor Jude Law, journalist Tom Llamas, and singer-actor Jonathan Groff—none of whom addressed Kimmel's situation. Conversely, Stewart and Colbert hosted guests capable of discussing the censorship concerns raised by Kimmel’s suspension, including journalist Maria Ressa, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient.
Stewart's segment opened with a satirical voiceover promoting adherence to the audience's expectations, hinting at the stringent control over media narratives. He critiqued the government’s stance on what it labeled as uncontrolled crime in urban centers.
The atmosphere around The Daily Show's set was imbued with tension as Stewart expressed anxiety about ensuring he followed the “correct” narrative during this politically charged moment. He humorously depicted President Trump's visit to the UK, juxtaposing the real world with his portrayal of a compliant broadcasting environment.
Kimmel’s suspension stemmed from comments made about reactions to Kirk's killing, which many interpreted as controversial. ABC's decision followed significant pushback from several of its affiliated stations and formidable scrutiny from Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr regarding misinformation dissemination.
Colbert’s response involved an energetic opening that parodied Disney’s iconic tune from "Beauty and the Beast," shifting the lyrics to critique the censorship. He firmly expressed his disappointment with ABC's actions and passionately advocated for free speech in his platform, asserting, If ABC thinks that this is going to satisfy the regime, they are woefully naive. The discourse referred to the government’s interference in media, encouraging robust dialogue on the significance of uncensored communication.
David Letterman, Colbert’s predecessor, echoed similar sentiments, lamenting the potential direction of media under increased political pressure, curtailing diverse viewpoints and dissenting voices.
