Pardon the Interruption
I first caught wind of the news earlier in the evening but waited until 10:30 to see it for myself. Instead of Jimmy Kimmel Live, I was greeted by Family Feud with Steve Harvey. Why is it always Steve Harvey when something gets canceled? Does ABC/Disney keep Steve in a vault marked In Case of Cancellation, Break Glass? Don’t get me wrong, we love Steve. But the real story is what wasn’t there: Jimmy Kimmel.
Late-night isn’t just filler for many of us—it’s part of the nightly routine. A laugh before bed, a monologue that teases the day’s political circus, followed by an interview, a skit, and some music. It’s a simple formula, but it works. And at the center of it all is the monologue—a space where comedy and free speech meet. That’s why pulling the show feels so unsettling.
According to The New York Times, the decision followed remarks Kimmel made about Charlie Kirk’s death—comments that didn’t sit well with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee tied to Project 2025. Soon after, ABC/Disney pulled the plug. And, of course, President Trump couldn’t resist celebrating on social media, even dragging Fallon and Meyers into the mix, "... That leaves Jimmy [Fallon] and Seth [Meyers], two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT."
It’s tempting to laugh at the pettiness—Trump’s odd first-name basis with late-night hosts, the over-reliance on Steve Harvey reruns—but the bigger picture isn’t funny. This brushes right up against the edges of free speech, one of the foundations we hold most dear.
I can always change the channel, boycott a sponsor, or just turn off the TV. What I shouldn’t have to worry about is political pressure silencing voices in comedy, journalism, or anywhere else.
Nine years ago, I wrote about Trump’s threats toward journalists. Last year, I revisited those warnings. Now, here we are, watching the guardrails vanish in real time. The truth is, late night may be designed to make us laugh before bed, but right now it feels more like a wake-up call.
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