CNN again reporting that ABC wants Kimmel back

[senseandsensibility]

The catch is that they want him to "tone it down". This was just reported by the entertainment reporter on Erin Burnett's show. She also said that Kimmel does not want to tone it down.

The reporter said that her sources are telling her this. She also said that almost the entire TV industry is for Kimmel and ABC is really feeling the pressure.

[C_U_L8R]

1. Tone it down?

These ABC idiots seem oblivious to the entire history of entertainment.
If you want success, you need to take risks and stand out and yes, create controversy.
If you just want to fade into the curtains of failure, please proceed and ‘tone it down’.
Kimmel is right to tell them to cram it. It’s his audience, not theirs.

[MadameButterfly]

4. Trump can revoke licenses

and censor networks but he can't make us watch what they put in it's place.
The TV industry, if they don't want to all retire might do well to stand up to Trump now while they still can.

Imagine someone actually not doing what Trump demands.

[C_U_L8R]

7. Broadcast licenses

Maybe it’s time for broadcast to end. Particularly when it’s held hostage by a self-fellating orange nosepicker like Trump.

[MadameButterfly]

9. Broadcasts won't end

but they might be Putin style propaganda. No one will watch. So the taxpayers will have to pay while they lose a fortune.

I would miss the broadcasts. A lot. I suppose Rachel etc. will find a place to be heard but it won't be the same. And wherever they go, Trump will go after that.

Here's hoping it will all come crashing down on Trump before that happens.

[C_U_L8R]

12. Rachel is cable, Trump's FCC can't (directly) touch her

But they’ll still try some other stupid shit.

[MadameButterfly]

14. Wow, I didn't know to make that distinction

But yes, they will find a way. The owners of MSNBC are conservatives, after all.

[mdbl]

49. That's how Fux Nooze gets away with all their shenanigans

It's not broadcast.

[BigMin28]

31. Absolutely

the best description I have ever heard of tsf.

[maddiemom]

45. YES! nt!

[Wiz Imp]

35. Not really. He can threaten, but the chances of actually being able to do it are tiny

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/sep/18/brendan-carr-fcc-jimmy-kimmel

Tom Wheeler, a former FCC chair appointed by President Barack Obama, said Carr is “incredibly bright” and savvy about using the broad latitude given to the chairman, “exploiting the vagaries in the term ‘the public interest’”. Instead of the deregulation Trump promised voters, the administration “delivered this kind of micromanagement”, Wheeler said. “It’s not the appropriate job of the FCC chairman to become the censor-in-chief,” Wheeler said.

The lone Democrat on the FCC, Anna Gomez, criticized Carr for “using the weight of government power to suppress lawful expression”. Gomez called ABC’s decision “a shameful show of cowardly corporate capitulation” that threatened the first amendment, and said the FCC was operating beyond its authority and outside the bounds of the constitution.

“If it were to take the unprecedented step of trying to revoke broadcast licenses, which are held by local stations rather than national networks, it would run headlong into the first amendment and fail in court on both the facts and the law,” Gomez wrote in a statement. “But even the threat to revoke a license is no small matter. It poses an existential risk to a broadcaster, which by definition cannot exist without its license. That makes billion-dollar companies with pending business before the agency all the more vulnerable to pressure to bend to the government’s ideological demands.”

[dflprincess]

52. The FCC can revoke affiliates' licenses

but the networks aren't licensed as they only provide content to the various stations who are the ones who actually air it.

[lostincalifornia]

55. It isn't about licensing, which he can't do anyway, it is about approving mergers.

That is why CBS folded over 60 minutes.

[TheFarseer]

67. Here's hoping the Charlie Kirk tribute

Gets the lowest ratings in history- like lower than a late night infomercial.

[Polybius]

38. I think they are trying to say to be more like Carson, Letterman, Leno, and Conan

They did political jokes, but you could never tell who's side of the isle they were on.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

56. I miss Carson & Leno

Late night was much better under them, IMO, as it was entertaining.

[BidenRocks]

59. Then chump happened!

We really haven't had a day without hearing him in 13 years.

He has sucked the humor out of us.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

61. Trump didn't force late night

To become unfunny - that was the choice of the hosts.

Again, JMO.

[Polybius]

66. 100%

I believe Conan would have continued in their tradition.

[azureblue]

62. Tone it down ---

right after ABC stops promoting Trump's lies and sanewashing him. Oh, yeah, and after ABC start reporting on Trump's child raping..

[Freddie]

2. Tone it down?

He’ll tell them to shove it sideways.

[MadameButterfly]

5. I think the thing he got fired for was pretty toned down

compared to some of Kimmel's material. I think nothing short of Republican talking points would please Trump and the oligarchs looking for mergers.

[CatWoman]

3. remember when Dave Chappelle said fuck it, quit his show and went to Africa?

all because censors were trying to interfere with his show

[Silent Type]

10. Don't remember Democrats coming to Chappelle's defense. His comments were disgusting, but still. . . . .

[SamuelTheThird]

15. Huh?

Comedy Central was trying to exercise more control over his show. It had nothing to do with the government

[Silent Type]

17. Let's be hones, he was also bashed mercilessly by Democrats. Probably deserved it, but still.

[SamuelTheThird]

18. No he wasn't

Not when he had his show on Comedy Central

It was much later, when he became obsessed with trans stuff.

And yes- let's be honest. That has nothing to do with the FCC threatening to pull licenses.

Youre very confused what the issue is here.

[Silent Type]

21. Finally, you admit he was bashed. I have not once said FCC was right. You are confused.

[SamuelTheThird]

25. He was criticized? So what

No one said Kimmel was immune to criticism,either.

What on earth is your point when the concern of everyone is clear government censorship of Kimmel?

[CatWoman]

33. either he is completely confused and/or is trying to start something

i'm not in the mood, suffice to say

[Crunchy Frog]

68. Which Democrats? Was it elected officials or heads of agencies, or just viewers who happened to be Democratic leaning?

And even if it was an elected Democrat, was it done in an official capacity or merely the expression of a personal opinion?

I admit that he was never someone who I paid any attention to, so whatever ruckus there was over him went over my head.

[CatWoman]

19. Boy, talk about a point completely flying over someone's head

[Silent Type]

24. Video of Dave C criticizing "liberal's outrage reflex."

https://lennybruce.org/2022/07/21/dave-chappelle-cancellation-comics-outraged-over-assault-on-freedom-of-speech-after-venue-caves-to-left-fox-news/

Personally, don’t watch Chappelle anymore because of this, but can’t convince me plenty of liberals have tried to shut him down.

[SamuelTheThird]

28. Fox news is your go-to?

You mean the station that has been advocating for censorship since before the Dixie Chick's troubles?

[Silent Type]

34. It's a video. If you don't like that one, the same video is on other sites.

[CatWoman]

29. we are talking before and after Comedy Central

and my original post had nothing to do with present day Chappelle.

there have been numerous conversations and flame wars about same, and with that I'll say I hear you knocking but you can't come in.

[Silent Type]

30. You are, I'm talking about Dave Chappelle being tarred and feathered.

Go read OP.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

69. Yep.

Always easier if people just admit they barged into a convo not knowing what it's about.

[Wiz Imp]

39. First of all that is from 2022

More significantly, Chappelle is whining about having a show canceled when that show was canceled due to massive backlash from the local community where the venue was located. It had nothing to do with anyone in the Government censoring him. The local community was outraged that the venue would give a platform to a virulently transphobic asshole. That's not shutting him down, it's making it clear he offends the community's values.

[boston bean]

13. Was the US government threatening snd censoring him?

Or was it market forces.

[CatWoman]

22. from my post

all because censors were trying to interfere with his show

meaning Comedy Central censors.

The same is true for the Wayans Brothers in both "In Living Color" and the Scary Movie franchise.

[boston bean]

50. Again, where is the gov't censhorship.

You do realize the major difference, no?

[CatWoman]

73. yes i do and i never once said or implied "govt" censorship

i was merely addressing censorship

[boston bean]

74. The difference is major. It is not some minor difference.

[thought crime]

70. Kimmel should be in Italy by now.

[MrWowWow]

6. If Anything, It's Time to Amp It Up !

We are in a police state now. Fascism is the order of the day. The government has bought a 10% stake in Intel. National Guard have occupied our cities and taken up local law enforcement duties. Freedom of Speech (You know, that First Amendment to the Constitution thingy) is in a tailspin.

Put the Pedal to the Metal! No Kings Day 2.0 is October 18th.

https://www.nokings.org

Democracy is not a spectator's sport. Don't let us become another failed state. Let's stop the Tree of Liberty from dying.

[Mike Nelson]

8. Huh?

... how will "tone it down" be defined in a revised contract? Who decides how far down the "tone" knob goes? Dear Leader telling any of these late night TV hosts what to say means you get no show.

PS - Check out the "tone" on FOX and its "Gutfield" show!

[underpants]

27. As you point out, this is just absurd

He’s a court jester. That’s what they do, point out the foibles of the court.


“Late night” Gutfeld is the media cowering yo the ratings king. He’s in at 10. Prime time. I’ve tried but I can’t get through much.
Ingraham at 7 Jessie Watters on the flagship at 8 Hannity at 9. Gutfeld

Ingraham and Watters are literally 3rd team. Hannity, as much as I hate to do this, is Homer Simpson. He’s been there the day it opened and he’s never been promoted. They wil not give him the flagship and he’s in direct conversation with with Trump.

How did we get here?

[underpants]

11. NBC's The Tonight Show created a product that ABC & CBS have been chasing for decades

At one point, Carson created 20% of NBC’s revenue. There were only 3 TV channels. 20% of NBC’s revenue meant they had way more revenue than CBS or ABC. ABC tried Joey Bishop (with Regis) and Dick Cavett bounced between CBS ABC and PBS - some really great discussions.

Jack Paar created something that didn’t exist. Johnny (an out of the blue pick) took it to somewhere no could see coming AND that can’t be replicated.

[Cirsium]

47. Steve Allen

Steve Allen was the first tonight show host, from September 27, 1954 to January 25, 1957. In fact, the original name of the show was the Steve Allen Show on WNBT in New York (after 1954 the call letters were changed to WNBC). Regular Tonight show features - the opening monologue, audience participation, comedy skits, celebrity appearances, and live music - were all originated by Allen.

[thought crime]

71. There are some great video clips from the Steve Allen Show.

My favorite is very young Frank Zappa playing bicycles as musical instruments. There is also a very interesting one of Jack Kerouac (very much under the influence) angrily discussing Beat with a "Hippie" professor who worshiped him.

[underpants]

72. I forgot Steve Allen.

I read several of his mystery books when I was in the Army.

[Midwestern Democrat]

58. Agreed - although I would guess the expensive late night talk show will probably not exist within a decade.

There may be late night talk shows after that but they won't be the expensive kind like Tonight Show, Late Show, or Kimmel - they'll be a pure chat show on a simple set without anything requiring an expensive writing staff (monologues, comedy skits, etc.)

[bluestarone]

16. His FIRST condition should be NO KIRK program in HIS time slot!!

PERIOD!!!

[Wiz Imp]

40. The Kirk program is being aired by Sinclair tonight.

ABC has nothing to do with it, and Sinclair has every right to pre-empt network programming on any of their affiliates any time they want.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

44. Yep

That’s why I say ABC should just it air and the affiliates can do what they want.

[Crunchy Frog]

20. No way should he tone it down. If anything he should tone it up.

He should tell ABC to go screw themselves. He certainly has other options available to him.

[a kennedy]

23. I HOPE HE NEVER SAYS "I'm sorry". He EVER DOES THAT, I SWEAR TO GAWD I WILL NEVER WATCH OR LISTEN TO

HIM AGAIN. I love Jimmy Kimmel. If he EVER says he sorry…..he won’t. and that is why I absolutely love him,

[Ocelot II]

26. Hope he tells ABC to get bent.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

32. They should put the show back on the air...

…and if Nexstar and Sinclair don’t want to air it, they don’t have to.

[struggle4progress]

36. "Omigosh! Us has gots no idea how this happen! We was just funning him!

Oh, everbody know how thin-skinned Jim Kim are sometime! He might should lighten up"

[WiVoter]

37. Wonder How The Ratings Are For 🍊 💩 Repacements?

Celebrity Jeopardy or whatever v

[Wiz Imp]

41. Kimmel will never agree to "tone it down"

This came up before and he told them to get bent and continued to do his show according to his own standards.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-view-abc-tone-down-politics-trump-report_n_682e7eaae4b0a052877e91b3

ABC executives have previously pressured hosts over their Trump talk, with late night host Jimmy Kimmel revealing in 2022 that the network’s top bosses asked him to tone it down when he began to regularly quip about Trump.

Kimmel told the “Naked Lunch” podcast that he informed execs that he wouldn’t let up on the jokes even if they fired him. They eventually backed away from the ask, he noted.

[BigmanPigman]

42. Is that legal lingo? Tone It Down?!.

When this goes to court will they be a tiny bit more specific about what "toning it down" means?

No judge in their right mind would look at this directive with anything but "you graduated from a law school?" as he doubles over laughing at this ridiculous waste of time and money.

[UTUSN]

43. What's the difference between a condition to "tone it down" and censorship?

[Bengus81]

46. Kimmels show is suspended Indefinitely!! Or at least till sometime next week--LOL!!

Tell them to fucking stuff it Jimmy. They want you back only if severely neutered. Let me guess, make all the Obama-Biden jokes you want but leave Dear Leader out of the mix.

Oh yeah.. NO more talking about Epstein too. Sign here please.......

[ToxMarz]

48. Nothing Trump would like more than to take him off the air

until he's learned his place and comes back with lauding praise for Trump on every show like one of his fucking cabinet or oligarch meetings. Even sweeter to Trump if people know it's not sincere and he's doing it out of weakness.

[3825-87867]

51. Replacements for Kimmel?

Bowling for Cryptos
Apply makeup to enhance masculinity
Bollywood Squares
Trump the Bounty Wiper
Hey Neighbor with Tim Allen as a maga hardware manager
How Shooting Puppies Got Me a Job with Dakota's Own Politician
Real Life Stories with George Santos
When your Depends Fails

Feel free to add more!

[FloridaBlues]

53. Perhaps they lost many Hulu/disney accounts over past day

[Blue Owl]

54. How about asking the fat orange POS to tone it down?

[NNadir]

60. Yeah. Right on.

[Randomthought]

57. To ne itt Down

OwnFUCK THAT!
The truth is the truth and Kimmel spoke the truth.

[kimbutgar]

63. The last three days the cast of the View have barely mentioned The OT name

[Joinfortmill]

64. How the f*ck do you tone down the TRUTH?

[red dog 1]

65. Fuck Trump!

[gulliver]

75. The show where he doesn't tone it down is a different show.

I don't like what happened to late night "talk shows." Johnny, Dave, Conan, Jay did talk shows. The new shows, where the monologues are often just diatribes, are not talk shows. They're diatribe shows.

Unfortunately, I don't think that's what ABC or any major network can sell through their affiliates. Kimmel, whom I find very funny and intelligent (but watch only in YouTube clips), needs to do a talk show if he's going to be on ABC. Otherwise, the loss of revenue from doing a diatribe show (and alienating affiliates and their customers) is an impact on workers' incomes and stockholders' 401(k)s.

I like what Conan and Dave have done lately. I like what Bill Maher has always done. Kimmel can do the same. Edgy is good. I just don't think it's good on legacy media networks. The traditional talk show may be a goner.

[Omnipresent]

76. Did they feel they caved in too quickly to the FCC?

They not only caved in, but they helped to diminish our first amendment rights as citizens too!!
Fuck ABC!!!

[GreenWave]

77. First report all the bad shit Kirk has said and done.