Jimmy Kimmel Returns to Late Night After Massive Outcry Over Free Speech Concerns Causes ABC to Lift ‘Indefinite Suspension’

In the wake of ABC’s sudden “indefinite suspension” (and later reversal) of late-night show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, which sparked outrage across the nation about threats to the First Amendment and free speech, Rep. Laura Friedman (CA-30) organized a press conference and rally September 22 near Kimmel’s taping location of the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood.

On September 17, ABC pulled the show following comments Kimmel made during his evening monologue two nights prior about MAGA and President Trump’s response to the assassination of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk. The show’s suspension prompted swift and strong outrage from labor unions and leaders (including AFM International President Tino Gagliardi, who also discussed the matter on CNN), celebrities, and commentators in defense of the attack on the First Amendment and free speech. It also threatened the livelihoods of house band Cleto and the Cletones, all members of AFM Local 47, and the hundreds of guest musicians who perform each year on the show.

The day following the suspenion announcement, WGA West hosted a large rally attended by hundreds of entertainment union members, including writers, musicians, actors and stagehands, outside of Walt Disney Studios in Burbank (ABC is owned by the Walt Disney Company). The AFM joined fellow entertainment unions SAG-AFTRA, DGA and IATSE in a joint statement, calling the move “part of a disturbing trend of increasing interference in creative expression” and stating that “all broadcasters must stand firm in defense of free expression and the First Amendment, not capitulate to a policy of political appeasement.”

Photos by Linda A. Rapka // On Thursday, September 18, outside the main Disney Gate in Burbank, AFM 47 musicians (including violist Diana Wade, pictured above right) joined hundreds of Writers Guild of America West and other union members to protest ABC’s suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” citing threats to free speech.

In the wake of the backlash, between September 17-23 Disney stock fell by 2.39 percent, equivalent to nearly $5 billion in market value. Analysts attributed much of the decline to consumer cancellations of Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions, as viewers associated the suspension with censorship.

At Rep. Friedman’s rally on September 22, several Democratic members of Congress and Hollywood union leaders spoke, including Friedman, Reps. Brad Sherman, Judy Chu, Ted Lieu, Nanette Barragán, and Gil Cisneros; American Federation of Musicians Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe (read her full speech below); Writers Guild of America President Meredith Stiehm; Directors Guild of America National Executive Director Russell Hollander; IATSE’s Thom Davis; and SAG-AFTRA member and veteran Shannon Corbeil.

Just as the rally was wrapping, ABC and Disney officials announced that Kimmel’s show would return on the air the next day. However, Sinclair and Nexstar Media — the two large media conglomerates that own nearly one-quarter of local ABC affiliates in the United States — preempted programming of the show for nearly a week until lifting the ban on September 26 in the face of public outcry and lost advertising dollars.

Nexstar recently revealed plans to acquire Tegna, a rival broadcast company, for more than $6 billion. The deal would further consolidate the local television landscape and put Nexstar in 80% of America’s TV-owning households, per a press release, despite current law permitting no more than 39%. The acquisition requires final approval from the FCC, which FCC chairman Brendan Carr runs under Trump’s appointment.

“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” — now once again — airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. PT on ABC.

Photo: Office of Rep. Laura Friedman // On September 22, U.S. Representative Laura Friedman (CA-30; pictured above, at podium) led local members of Congress, union leaders (including AFM Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe, pictured second from left above), and Industry workers at a rally in her district outside the Kimmel studios in Hollywood to defend free speech, the Constitution, and the First Amendment.

AFM Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe’s speech delivered at the Sept. 22 Kimmel press conference and rally:

“I am so proud to stand before you with my fellow union leaders and together with such tremendous champions for working musicians. Reps. Friedman, Chu, Barragan, Sherman, Lieu and Cisneros — thank you for your leadership and for always fighting on behalf of all artists and arts workers.

“Among the many talented members of AFM Local 47 are the incredible musicians who make up Cleto and the Cletones and the many other musicians who appear on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on a regular basis.

“We need music now more than ever. Musicians inspire; lift our spirits; make us sing, dance, laugh, and cry. But there will be less music on ABC tonight for one simple reason. Instead of working in the public interest, the FCC serves only one person — Donald Trump.

“We must exercise our First Amendment rights by speaking directly to our government and the corporate entities that allowed this violation of the First Amendment to happen. My grandparents came to this country because of the promises of freedom of speech and expression. It is my honor to continue to fight alongside each one of you to preserve their dream. We must put an end to the corporate consolidation on television and radio that threatens our ability to make a living. We must stop the violation of our rights in Los Angeles and across the country. Together, I know we can defeat those who wish to silence us.”