Stephen Colbert Stands With Jimmy Kimmel & His Staff After ABC Pulls His Show

Stephen Colbert is voicing his support for Jimmy Kimmel after ABC confirmed to People on Wednesday, September 17, that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” would go on indefinite hiatus. During the taping of “The Late Show” the following night, Colbert addressed the decision head-on, calling it “blatant censorship.”

(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

“I’ll say this for my network. They wouldn’t have done this,” Colbert said, per the New York Post. “Now, regardless of what you think, that has already been done and how that looks, this is weak. This is blatant censorship. With an autocrat, you cannot give an inch. Jimmy, I stand with you and your staff 100%.”

Viola Davis & Octavia Spencer Share Emotional Support

Hollywood has rallied around Kimmel since the announcement. Viola Davis shared a heartfelt note on Instagram, writing:

“My heart continues to be broken every day. It’s like we used to say back in the day, with spit and a heartfelt handshake: ‘Let’s just squelch it.’ We need to find a way back to each other… if not with spit and a handshake… with grace. Love you @JimmyKimmel. You’ve been beyond kind to me. I will no longer join the cacophony of the world. I’m ‘squelching it.’ ❤️❤️🙏🏿🙏🏿”

Octavia Spencer echoed Davis’ words with her own brief but powerful statement, writing: “It’s squelched!”

Jason Bateman Calls Suspension ‘Troubling’

Jason Bateman also addressed the situation during an appearance on the Today show while promoting his Netflix series “Black Rabbit”.

“Well, it’s troubling to say the least. And we all have to really take a moment and figure how we feel about this type of thing,” Bateman said.

The Ozark star added that conversations were already happening in response: “You just can’t stand by and let stuff like that go on,” he explained, clarifying that he was referring to Kimmel’s show being pulled over free speech concerns.

Late-Night Faces Uncertainty

(Disney/Wilford Harewood)

Variety reported that ABC is replacing Kimmel’s 11:35 p.m. slot, which will temporarily be filled with reruns of Celebrity Family Feud. A memo sent to more than 150 affiliates explained that Steve Harvey’s hit game show would step in while the network reviews the program’s future.

The decision comes just two months after CBS canceled Colbert’s The Late Show. At the time, Kimmel publicly supported Colbert by voting for him in the Emmy race and congratulating him on his win.

(Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)

Now, as uncertainty lingers across late-night television, Hollywood continues to rally around Kimmel, demonstrating the depth of respect and solidarity he has earned among his peers.

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