By Rudi Maxwell, ABC
The Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) logo is seen at its Sydney head office (file photo). Photo: AFP/ Saeed Khan
- The American Broadcasting Company has axed Jimmy Kimmel Live! for comments the host made referencing the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk
- Now the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has received hundreds of complaints intended for America's ABC about the show being cancelled
- The vast majority of complaints sent to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation contained expressions of dismay, with many citing concerns about free speech and the First Amendment to the US Constitution
"What You Did To Jimmy Kimmel Is Against The Constitution and I Will Be Boycotting ABC. When you bend your knees to the president, you've gone too far. America is not happy with ABC."
"I will contact and boycott ALL business that sponsor ABC's shows!"
"I will NEVER watch ABC again - Free speech is gone. Go Jimmy Kimmel!"
These are just a few of the hundreds of complaints the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has received that were meant for the US company that shares the ABC acronym - the American Broadcasting Company - about Jimmy Kimmel Live! being pulled off air.
The Disney-owned US ABC took issue with jokes Kimmel made in his opening monologue regarding the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
"We hit some new lows over the weekend, with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise 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.
Jimmy Kimmel, while shooting his late night comedy show, in 2022. Photo: AFP/ Jim Watson
The show ran a clip of US President Donald Trump being asked how he was holding up in the wake of Kirk's death.
"I think very good and by the way, right there, you see all the trucks," he said. "They've just started construction of the new ballroom for the Whitehouse."
Kimmel then mocked Trump's response, joking that the US president was "at the fourth stage of grief - construction".
As Disney wrestled with the growing social-media storm, US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Brendan Carr said on a podcast that Kimmel had misled viewers about the alleged shooter's MAGA affiliation.
Carr also raised the possibility that the FCC could revoke the broadcast licences of local television stations that carry such "garbage".
"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," Carr said. "These companies can find ways to change conduct and take action, frankly, on Kimmel."
On Wednesday, Nexstar Media Group - the company that owns the American Broadcasting Company and partner TV stations affiliated with it, and has Disney as its parent company - announced it would "pre-empt" Jimmy Kimmel Live! "for the foreseeable future".
Complaints aimed at ABC Downunder
The vast majority of complaints sent on the topic to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation contained expressions of dismay that Kimmel's show had been pulled off air, with many citing concerns about free speech and protections to it in the First Amendment to the US Constitution.
It's not clear if these complaints are representative of those the US ABC is receiving, but it's clear members of its audience aren't happy with the decision.
Nexstar is America's largest local television broadcasting group, comprised of top network affiliates, with more than 200 owned or partner stations in 116 US markets reaching 220 million people.
Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns many of the US ABC's local TV affiliates, said they too would stop airing the show.
"Does the constitution have no meaning to you?" one complaint said. "First amendment is freedom of speech, seems you can use it, but if someone disagrees with your views or shall I call it with the present administration...
"Oh wait, can't forget money. Shame."
Another said: "Free speech!!!! Unfortunately it seems to me you have been bought and I will not continue to watch your network!
"If you continue to silence people who disagree with you then we will be left with fake news only. Why tune in for that! Good bye."
Another asked: "I'm not a fan of Jimmy Kimmel, but I am a fan of free speech. Shame on you for punishing a comedian with ideas different from your rightwing posture.
"You're [sic] network is just one more MAGA disappointment. I'm neither Democrat or Republican, but I do believe in freedom of ideas.
"You're [sic] company has lost its credibility. Too bad you feel you must ingratiate your programming to a political position.
"How does it feel to be FOX News?"
Many of the complaints included threats to boycott or cancel services.
"You're cancelling Kimmel bc our big baby dictator president doesn't like comedians making fun of him? I literally can't believe my eyes.
"I'm so disappointed I'll have to boycott Disney, one of my fav brands, but we are literally fighting for democracy. I'm really surprised and sad I have to cancel my trip to Disneyland next week."
"Can you explain why you actively trying to destroy free speech and the first amendment? I grew up in the socialism and went through hell to escape, and now you act exactly like them.
"If you can't give me a good explanation, I will cancel every subscription with Disney and so on, and also actively boycott ABC."
Others referenced Carr's power, as Nexstar and Sinclair both have merger deals pending before the FCC.
"Shame, Shame, Shame. Folded to the bully Carr and Trump. All for the pending sale?" another complainant said.
"Jimmy Kimmel and all of his staff, no job due to the Gestapo Takeover by the Trump administration. You friggin cowards!!! Gonna quit watching all of your shows!!!"
While the correspondence demonstrated Godwin's law of the internet - the more comments, the more likely a reference to Hitler, along with references to other dictatorships - a few heaped praise on the decision, saying they didn't find Kimmel funny and it was time for him to leave.
"Although I never watch ABC (not ever), I appreciate that you had the good sense to boot Kimmel," one said. "Hate speech from his untalented mouth has been spewing for some time.
"What took you so long? He is totally talentless. Good luck with your sinking corporation."
The ABC also provided a link to the US ABC contact form, to help redirect those wanting to to provide feedback about the decision to axe Jimmy Kimmel Live!
- This story was first published by ABC
