Jon Stewart Reflects on Jimmy Kimmel Suspension, Citing ‘Great Opportunity’ Amid Controversy

Late-night host Jon Stewart recently provided his perspective on the temporary removal of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from ABC’s programming in September, characterizing the turbulent period as a source of creative focus for his own team. Speaking with New Yorker editor David Remnick at the 26th annual New York Festival, the 62-year-old host of “The Daily Show” explained how the abrupt suspension of his contemporary’s show became a motivating event.

The controversy stemmed from comments made by Jimmy Kimmel, 57, regarding the assassination of podcaster Charlie Kirk earlier that month. Stewart acknowledged the industry-wide impact of the network’s decision. “It rattled everyone to some extent, but it also presented a great opportunity,” Stewart said. He elaborated on how his staff channeled the situation into their work, stating, “I don’t think we’ve had as much fun as we did that Thursday morning coming up with all the stupid little s–t you see, including gold pictures and red ties. It gave us some purpose.”

Stewart’s comments at the festival echoed his staunch defense of Kimmel at the time of the suspension, when he was a vocal critic of what he viewed as network censorship driven by fear of political backlash.

The Monologue and Subsequent Suspension

The events that led to the show’s preemption unfolded during Kimmel’s opening monologue on an episode that aired September 15. In his remarks, Kimmel addressed the public reaction to Kirk’s killing, alleging that supporters of Donald Trump were “desperately trying to characterize” the 22-year-old shooter as “anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”

The comments quickly drew criticism, and several days later, a spokesperson for ABC confirmed that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” would be “preempted indefinitely.” The network’s decision ignited a significant public response, with many of Kimmel’s fans and fellow celebrities expressing outrage. The fallout included calls for a boycott of the network and fueled a wider national conversation about free speech, censorship, and the responsibilities of media corporations.

During that period of intense debate, Stewart issued a powerful condemnation of media executives who he believed were capitulating to pressure. “The shows that you now seek to cancel, censor, and control…a not-insignificant portion of that $8 billion value came from those damn shows,” Stewart stated. “What made you that money are shows that say something, take a stand, are unafraid.” He challenged the corporate strategy of avoiding controversy, adding, “If you believe – as corporations or as networks – that you can make yourselves so innocuous that you can serve a gruel so flavorless that you will never again be on the boy king’s radar…Why would anyone watch you? And you are f—–g wrong.”

Network Reversal and Kimmel’s Apology

Following nearly a week of sustained public pressure and media scrutiny, ABC’s parent company, Disney, reversed its course. On September 22, the corporation announced that Kimmel’s show would be returning to the air. “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 (September 23),” Disney said in a formal statement.

Upon his return on September 23, Kimmel dedicated his opening monologue to addressing the controversy and issuing a heartfelt apology. Visibly emotional, he clarified his original intentions and expressed remorse for the impact of his words. “It’s important to me as a human. And that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” Kimmel said through tears.

He further explained his position, noting his immediate reaction to the tragedy. “I don’t think there’s anything funny about it. I posted a message on Instagram on the day he was killed, sending love to his family and asking for compassion, and I meant it and I still do,” he continued. “Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what was obviously a deeply disturbed individual. That was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make.”

Kimmel concluded his apology by acknowledging the perspective of those he offended. “But I understand that to some, that felt either ill-timed or unclear, or maybe both. And for those who think I did point a finger… I get why you’re upset. If the situation was reversed, there’s a good chance I’d have felt the same way.” The incident and its resolution highlighted the complex pressures facing late-night hosts and media networks in a politically polarized environment.