UPDATE: FCC Chair Brendan Carr just celebrated the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! in a controversial move that has sparked widespread attention. This decision comes after Kimmel’s remarks following the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, which Carr claims pushed a narrative about the suspect’s political motivations.
Earlier today, during an interview with MAGA YouTuber Benny Johnson, Carr threatened to revoke ABC’s broadcasting license over Kimmel’s comments. He asserted that Kimmel’s statements suggested the suspect was linked to “MAGA or Republican motivations.”
In a surprising twist, Carr utilized a meme from NBC’s comedy series The Office to express his approval of ABC’s decision to pause the late-night talk show. The meme features Steve Carell and Rainn Wilson performing celebratory “raise the roof” gestures. The moment was shared by CNN media analyst Brian Stelter on social media platform X, where Johnson enthusiastically commented, “This is me and Brendan Carr right now.”
Following the news, Carr thanked Nexstar, the company operating ABC-affiliated stations, for its cooperation in pulling Kimmel’s show. He emphasized, “Local broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest. While this may be an unprecedented decision, it is important for broadcasters to push back on Disney programming that they determine falls short of community values.” Carr urged other broadcasters to follow Nexstar’s lead.
The ongoing developments surrounding this situation highlight the tension between media programming and perceived political narratives, raising questions about the balance of free speech and public responsibility in broadcasting.
As this story unfolds, viewers and media analysts alike are left to wonder what the long-term implications will be for late-night television and the broader media landscape. Stay tuned for further updates as this situation progresses.