Canadian Celebrities Rally Behind Jimmy Kimmel Following Suspension

Canadian celebrities have publicly expressed their support for American talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, whose program was suspended following his remarks about the assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk. Kimmel, who has hosted “Jimmy Kimmel Live” since 2003, faced backlash after his Monday monologue referenced the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement in connection with the incident involving the accused shooter, Tyler Robinson.

The controversy escalated when Nexstar Communications Group announced the indefinite suspension of Kimmel’s show, effective from Wednesday, March 13, 2024, impacting 23 ABC affiliates. Kimmel’s comments, which criticized the MAGA movement’s response to Kirk’s murder, drew significant attention. He stated, “We hit some new lows over the weekend… to score political points from it.”

In the wake of this decision, a number of prominent figures have rallied to Kimmel’s side. Notable late-night hosts such as David Letterman and Jimmy Fallon, along with political figures including former U.S. president Barack Obama and former vice-president Kamala Harris, have voiced their support. The backlash against Kimmel’s show has sparked reactions from Canadian entertainers as well.

Canadian Celebrities Weigh In

Canadian actress Tatiana Maslany, known for her role in “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,” took to Instagram to encourage fans to cancel their subscriptions to platforms like Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN in protest of ABC’s actions. Maslany’s post highlighted the connection between her show and the network’s decision, given that “She-Hulk” is a Disney+ Marvel production.

Media personality George Stroumboulopoulos also expressed solidarity, sharing a photo with Kimmel on his Instagram story alongside a song by the Ramones that addresses censorship. Comedian Debra DiGiovanni shared a video urging followers to join a protest outside the Disney studios in Burbank, California, where Kimmel’s show is filmed.

Protesters have gathered outside the El Capitan Entertainment Center, the venue for Kimmel’s show, as advocates for free speech rally against the suspension.

Broader Reactions and Implications

L.A.-based comedian Mae Martin, originally from Toronto, echoed the sentiments of many by reposting a video from actor Ilana Glazer. In her post, Glazer expressed her fears regarding the cultural implications of Kimmel’s suspension, stating, “I’m feeling very scared today. We’ve been increasingly under authoritarian rule culturally and now officially in our government for the past 10 years.”

Meanwhile, Brendan Carr, Chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, criticized Kimmel’s remarks as “truly sick.” He indicated that the agency might take action against Kimmel, ABC, and parent company Disney for allegedly spreading misinformation.

In contrast, former U.S. President Donald Trump praised ABC’s decision, taking to Truth Social to commend the network “for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.”

The unfolding events surrounding Kimmel’s suspension highlight the intersection of media, politics, and public sentiment, as voices from both sides of the spectrum continue to weigh in on the implications of censorship and free speech in the current cultural landscape.