7d ago

Jimmy Kimmel returns to ABC with emotional monologue defending free speech: 'We have to stand up'

www.latimes.com

Jimmy Kimmel returned Tuesday to his late show on ABC after a nearly week-long suspension.

The host delivered an emotional monologue defending free speech, but did not issue an apology.

Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, owners of ABC affiliates, continue to keep “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” off their stations.

43 comments

I don't think I could watch a single minute of Jimmy Kimmel, but the MAGAts trying to spin it as a low ratings cancellation rather than a political silencing can go fuck themselves.
- May I ask why? Genuinely curious.
  
  Maybe they are mixing him up with Jimmy Fallon? Kimmel is perfectly watchable based on the few times I saw him. Can't stand fake Fallon though.
- Kimmel dunks on Trump constantly
I just wish he had explicitly said that what he said was accurate about the fascists trying to politicize it instantly. He never actually said that the shooter was right wing. I can kind of see getting that as the implication but he actually didn't say anything disrespectful or false. Fuck the fascists.
- I mean, he was threading like five different needles with that monologue, and he did it really well, I thought. Well done.
  
  It was definitely a tricky thing to pull off considering all the pressures involved. But he was accurate in what he said and nearly got fired for. By the fucking president for all intents and purposes!
- I mean, it's not like he's a progressive warrior. He's a general appeal late night talk show host, his job is to read out comedy slop about current events
  I'm just happy he didn't apologize
  
  I get that. I'm just saying a little more pushback would've been nice. I honestly kind of expected an apology and maybe more capitulation, so I'm with you.
- His plan was to show that he understands.
  https://youtu.be/r117m6_JUBQ
Here's the monologue on youtube.
- I'm sorry what the fuck was that at beginning? That prick Jesse Watters said an Autism? In relation to Jimmy Kimmel coming back?
- Like and Subscribe
The host delivered an emotional monologue defending free speech, but did not issue an apology.
Neither did you, LA Times.
Yeah, no I know that Sinclair demanded an apology to run him but you don't get to that until almost the end of the article. So for the 80% of people that don't actually read the whole fucking thing what are they gonna make of you saying "yeah but he didn't issue an apology (like one should) (or as a decent person would) (or as would be expected for someone who did something so terrible)"
Fuck you billionaire-owned not-endorsing-Harris LA Fucking Times.
Also, WHooOO!
- Fuck Sinclair....THEY should lose their broadcast license for a bunch of reasons.
Great monolog, but who else thought Erika's forgiveness thing was bs? If the shooter was black the entire thing would have played out different. I dont know it just seemed fake to me, and even if it was genuine it was complete undercut by the president cutting her off and saying he hates his enemies. I fucking hate Trump so god damm much.
- She would have said the same thing regardless because it's all a facade. Just like Kirk's free speech absolutism. He didn't give a shit about free speech, except it was beneficial to him.
  Just like talking about love after talking about hate. It gave cover for him and is less outspoken supporters. "See? He's not racist. He doesn't preach violence."
- It's easy to "forgive" when you know there's a court and prisin system that will not forgive.
  She probably would have "forgiven" anyone, once caught, if for no other reason than to show how much better they are than the perpetrator.
- Honestly, I think we have to recognize that even the appearance of sincerity is honestly further than where most politics is at right now.
  You don't necessarily have to praise it if you think that, but at least we can give credit that at least the words were the right message, even if you think the intention was not.
  We need to reset the bar. I think people (not you) are actively trying to say that it was all fake and she only did it for political gain, etc. Maybe that's true, but at least for right now her message was good. I mean Trump's portion was a fucking disaster.
  We don't have to praise it, but it's hard to criticize. I think the criticism galvanizes harsher responses, and it's an easy thing to focus on as a good thing. Yes, forgiveness is a good thing. I mean she actually spoke about Jesus in correct context and didn't completely bastardize the message to jail refugees in inhumane conditions. It's a step in the right direction, even of the intention was hollow.
  At least we could start there.
  
  I'm not so sure that being an asshole and a hyprocrite (in the sense of simulating honesty whilst in fact being dishonest and hiding bad actions or ideas) is better than being an asshole which is open about it.
  Maybe my years in Britain (were the Middle Class and even more so the Upper Classes have these whole thing of "white lies" - and not for the morally justified reason of saving others from the pain that the truth would bring, but purelly to make others have a good impression of them - and a constantly maintaining of a fake image, in the upper classes well beyond what would consider normal) after years of living in The Netherlands (the Dutch tend to be very direct and blunt) have traumatized me, but personally I find hypocrisy deployed for one's own personal good one of the greatest personal flaws there is.
  I actually think that those who will simply say nothing at all if they have nothing good to say are much better people than the ones who are hyprocites about it.
That was a pretty fucking good monologue, but damn, you know shits rough when you agree with Ted Cruz.
- I'm more surprised Ted had a line he wouldn't cross (for now) to get power, influence, or money. Perhaps he sees the writing on the wall and is positioning himself to survive the backlash.
  
  I really hope there's writing on the wall
- It was nice, but I can't say I could agree with his praising Kirk's wife for forgiving the killer. I can't believe anything that say because everything is performative and I can't help but to think, "would she have said the same if the killer wasn't a white guy?"
  
  Race has nothing to do with it at all...
Jokes and memes will break this administration.
I thought the whole thing was really well done. In the history of Late Night not only is it up there, he pulled it off really well. And by doing it that way I hope he gained a little ground for us as well. It kinda feels like it.

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