Did ABC make the right call pulling ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’? What readers said.

Following ABC’s decision to indefinitely suspend production on its flagship late-night show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” we asked Boston.com readers whether ABC made the right choice.

More than 13,000 readers weighed in to our poll and on social to express a wide range of opinions about ABC’s move to take Kimmel off the air, which came after the comedian made comments critical of President Trump, members of his administration, and the greater MAGA movement’s response to the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

In our poll results, 66% of the more than 1,600 respondents said they disagreed with ABC’s decision to remove Kimmel from the air, while 34% agreed.

What exactly happened to Jimmy Kimmel?

Disney’s decision to remove Kimmel from its airwaves stemmed from the comedian’s monologue on Monday, when he implied (without evidence) that the suspect in Kirk’s murder, Tyler Robinson, was a member of the “MAGA gang.”

“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said.

On Tuesday’s episode, Kimmel also mocked President Trump’s for responding to a question from the press about Kirk’s death by talking about construction on a new White House ballroom.

“That’s not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend,” Kimmel said. “This is how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish, OK?”

In response, FCC Chair Brendan Carr called Kimmel “truly sick,” and threatened FCC action during an appearance on conservative commentator Benny Johnson’s podcast.

“This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney,” Carr said on the Benny Johnson podcast. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”

‘Freedom of Speech’

The majority of readers disagreed with Disney’s decision to remove Kimmel from the airwaves, with many citing freedom of speech as a bedrock American value.

“Just like Charlie Kirk was able to speak freely about his beliefs, Jimmy Kimmel should have the same option,” reader Roy B. said. “That is free speech. That is the main premise that this country is based on.”

“We are rapidly losing the right to free speech, said Mary S. of Reading. “If one doesn’t like something, don’t watch it.”

Patrick of Cohassett called Kimmel’s comments “callous, insensitive, and foolish,” but noted that his words didn’t “invite or incite or encourage violence towards anyone or anything.”

“The right has said much worse on that front recently,” he wrote. “Again, stupid agenda-driven drivel, but not worth cancelling a show over.”

Many others pointed out that Kimmel was criticizing conservative leaders in monologue, not Charlie Kirk.

“He was expressing free speech and was not disparaging the departed (Charlie Kirk),” said DS of Weston. “Instead he was making a critique of how a group of people (conservative Trump supporters) are using the moment for political gain.”

Even some readers who were under the mistaken impression that Kimmel had either directly criticized Kirk or celebrated his death nevertheless defended the comedian.

“Any assassination is horrible. And praising it absolutely should be put under a microscope,” said Mack of Methuen. “But indefinitely? Kimmel[‘s comments are] not anywhere near what I have seen online. A couple weeks followed by a sincere apology? Yes. But not this. This is McCarthyism 2.0.”

‘Free speech … does not exist without consequences’

While a two-thirds majority of readers disagreed with Disney, 34% of readers supported Disney’s decision to suspend production on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ indefinitely.

Aside from comments about Kimmel not being funny (of which there were many), many readers felt his divisive material was harmful to the country.

“We need to put an end to the division — both ways,” said Ray of New Hampshire. “He called 77 million Americans a ‘gang.’ He falsely stated the gunman was MAGA. This isn’t comedy/late night fun. This is inflammatory rhetoric that needs to end.”

“He does this way too often,” said Noreen S. of Mansfield. “He has a bad habit of saying hateful things.”

“Free speech protects you from government overreach, but it does not exist without consequences,” said Craig F. of East Bridgewater. “If you say something that enough of the public doesn’t like, you bear the consequence of that.”

Other readers said they disagreed with the FCC pressuring Disney to suspend Kimmel’s show, but supported Disney’s decision in general.

“I do not agree with pulling the show due to pressure from the federal government, nor do I think the FCC should have gotten involved. However, I think it is reasonable to pause production to show that ABC does not support Kimmel fanning the flames of incivility following a tragic assassination,” said another reader. “Kimmel’s words bordered on misinformation and are non-productive in these perilous times. I am all for speech that is free from government reigns, but ABC did the right thing by sending a message that Kimmel’s comments were unnecessary and inappropriate.”

Should Jimmy Kimmel return?

Some readers who said that they agreed with Disney’s decision nevertheless said that the comedian’s show should be able to return to ABC, under certain conditions.

“He knowingly spread false information at a time when the country was a powder keg. He has a large platform and has a responsibility not to intentionally spread misinformation,” said Jennifer of Townsend. “However, I do think that with an apology, a call to end violence, and a reasonable donation to a not-for-profit, it should be sufficient to allow him to return to the air.”

Kevin Slane

Staff Writer

Kevin Slane is a staff writer for Boston.com covering entertainment and culture. His work focuses on movie reviews, streaming guides, celebrities, and things to do in Boston.

Want to leave a comment?

Create an Account Or sign in to your account

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

To comment, please verify your email address

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com