Jimmy Kimmel used his monologue in his return to late-night television Tuesday evening to attempt to explain his comments about slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk that led to the suspension of his ABC talk show.
Kimmel said it was not “my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what it was obviously a deeply disturbed individual that was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make.”
“I understand that to some that felt either ill timed or unclear, or maybe both,” Kimmel said. “And for those who think I did, point a finger, I get why you’re upset. If the situation was reversed, it was a good chance I’d have felt the same way. I have many friends and family members on the other side who I love and remain close to, even though we don’t agree on politics at all.
“I don’t think the murderer who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone. This was a sick person who believed violence was a solution and it isn’t.”
During his Sept. 15 show, Kimmel addressed the assassination of Kirk and the reaction to it, saying, “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.”
Conservative activists used social media to say Kimmel had mischaracterized the political beliefs of Tyler Robinson, the accused shooter.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr lashed out at Kimmel two days after the host’s comments, suggesting the agency would consider taking action against ABC affiliates that continued to air Kimmel’s show. Carr, appearing on a podcast, said affiliates should refuse to air Kimmel due to “the possibility of license revocation from the FCC.”
Disney, the parent company of ABC, announced Monday the show would be returning Tuesday and also explained why it suspended the show.
“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,” according to a Disney statement. “It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive. 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.”
Some ABC affiliates continue to pre-empt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Sinclair, the nation’s largest ABC affiliate group, said last week its stations would not air the show on any of its stations until “formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability.”
Following Disney’s announcement about the show’s return, Sinclair issued a statement Monday afternoon saying, “Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting `Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming. Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return.”
The company last week had called upon Kimmel “to issue a direct apology to the Kirk family. Furthermore, we ask Mr. Kimmel to make a meaningful personal donation to the Kirk Family and Turning Point USA.”
Nexstar Media Group, which also said its television stations would not air the show last week in response to Kimmel’s remarks, announced Tuesday morning that it would continue keeping the show off its stations.
“We made a decision last week to preempt `Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel’s `ill-timed and insensitive’ comments at a critical time in our national discourse. We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve,” the company said in a statement.
“In the meantime, we note that `Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ will be available nationwide on multiple Disney-owned streaming products, while our stations will focus on continuing to produce local news and other programming relevant to their respective markets.”
Stations owned by Sinclair and Nexstar represent about 25% of the national market, according to the Los Angeles Times.
ABC7, the Los Angeles ABC affiliate, is not owned by either company.
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot while speaking to students at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah on Sept. 10.