Following the reinstatement of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* after its unexpected suspension by ABC on September 17, Jimmy Kimmel made his inaugural interview appearance on *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert*, offering a candid look into the tumultuous period.
On Tuesday’s broadcast, Colbert probed Kimmel about the moment he discovered his program was being taken off the air “indefinitely.” Kimmel characterized the incident, which saw his show return on September 23, as both a bizarre ordeal and an 'emotional roller coaster.'
Kimmel recounted the peculiar circumstances: 'It was approximately 3:00 PM, with our 4:30 PM taping rapidly approaching. I was in my office, diligently working, when an unexpected call came in from ABC. This was highly unusual,' he revealed. 'Given I had several colleagues in my office, the only secluded spot available for the conversation was the restroom.'
Inside the bathroom, Kimmel fielded the call from network executives. 'They conveyed their desire to 'lower the temperature,' expressing apprehension about my planned remarks for that evening’s show, and deemed the immediate cancellation of the broadcast as the optimal solution,' he elaborated. Colbert’s audience reacted with audible disapproval aimed at ABC. Kimmel humorously added, 'I echoed their boos! I argued against it, but they were resolute. A vote was held, and I lost.' Emerging from the call, he gathered his executive producers, informing the stunned group of nine, 'They’re pulling the show.'
His wife later remarked that he appeared even paler than comedian Jim Gaffigan upon exiting the meeting, a stark reflection of Kimmel’s internal panic. 'I genuinely believed it was all over,' he confessed. 'I thought I’d never return to air.'
Adding to the disarray, the evening's audience was already seated, and guests were prepared. Chef Christian Petroni, who had spent the entire day preparing meatballs and polenta, was slated to appear, alongside musician Howard Jones for a performance. Despite dismissing the audience, the crew opted to record Jones’s set for their disheartened staff. Kimmel quipped, 'The song he performed, 'Things Can Only Get Better,' had a rather ironic double meaning under the circumstances.'
Kimmel remained at the El Capitan Entertainment Centre for several hours post-cancellation. His journey home, however, escalated into a bizarre spectacle, featuring pursuit by '20 paparazzi cars, TMZ personnel leaping in front of us,' and even 'two helicopters following us home.' He lightheartedly lamented not having his bald spot concealed by makeup, before turning serious. Kimmel revealed that his family, particularly with two young children, was profoundly 'shaken' by the entire ordeal.
Reflecting on the immediate aftermath, Kimmel likened the experience to 'a DUI in L.A., three days in jail where I couldn’t utter a word.' He spent the period silently processing, fielding countless calls, and noted Colbert’s thoughtful check-in, adding, 'I received messages from virtually everyone I’ve ever known.'
The catalyst for *Jimmy Kimmel Live!'s* suspension stemmed from a controversial remark made by the host on his September 15 broadcast, which ignited online backlash and drew criticism from FCC chair Brendan Carr. Kimmel’s contentious statement asserted, 'We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.' While former President Donald Trump and several Republicans publicly rejoiced at Kimmel's temporary removal from the air, numerous other political figures and entertainment industry luminaries denounced ABC's action as an infringement on free speech.
During the Tuesday interview, Colbert posed a poignant question: 'Could your younger self have ever envisioned the President of the United States celebrating your unemployment?' Kimmel's sharp reply, 'I mean, that son of a bitch,' led into a more serious reflection. 'I never foresaw a president like this, and I sincerely hope we never have another. The thought of a nation’s leader delighting in the job loss of hundreds of Americans was unimaginable. Such an attitude, to me, fundamentally contradicts the essence of what a country’s leader should embody.'
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Originally published at: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/jimmy-kimmel-details-show-suspension-stephen-colbert-1236390539/
