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Credit: Inside the MagicA prominent Marvel star has weighed in on the current discourse surrounding the indefinite removal of Jimmy Kimmel, urging fans to cancel their Disney subscriptions despite having a headline series.
Why Has Jimmy Kimmel Been Cancelled?
ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely following widespread backlash over comments Kimmel made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot in Utah last week during the launch of his “The American Comeback Tour.” 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was later arrested.
The late-night host had suggested MAGA supporters were attempting to “characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them … to score political points.”
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to characterize this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said in his late-night show monologue earlier this week.
“In between the finger-pointing, the White House flew the flag at half-staff, which got some criticism, but on a human level, you can see how hard the president was taking this.” Kimmel then highlighted President Donald Trump’s reaction to Kirk’s passing and how he quickly pivoted to discussing the incoming White House ballroom. “He’s at the fourth stage of grief: construction,” the host said.
The fallout came quickly from major ABC affiliates. Nexstar, which owns several ABC stations, pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its lineup “for the foreseeable future,” condemning the comments as “offensive and insensitive.” Sinclair stations followed suit.
Regulators also stepped into the fray. FCC Chair Brendan Carr criticized Kimmel’s comments as misleading and warned that federal action could follow if ABC failed to respond. Carr applauded Nexstar and Sinclair for halting the show, though some commentators expressed concerns that the strong response reflects mounting political influence over media, and argued it could pose risks to free expression.
The chain reaction has been swift: Jimmy Kimmel Live! is suspended indefinitely, multiple major affiliates are refusing to air it, Sinclair has moved to fill the timeslot with a Charlie Kirk tribute special, and regulators are weighing in with warnings of potential license implications. Other shows are also in Trump and his team’s sightline.
The World Reacts to Jimmy Kimmel’s Indefinite Removal
Fellow late-night show hosts Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Jon Stewart have shown support to Kimmel, with the former calling the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live! “blatant censorship.” President Trump has also hinted that Fallon and Seth Meyers’ TV shows could face the same fate as Kimmel.
It’s not just the TV show host crowd that has weighed in on the discourse, with Marvel stars like Mark Ruffalo and Pedro Pascal–who play Dr. Bruce Banner/Hulk and Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, respectively–speaking out and condemning the decision to cancel Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Like ABC, Marvel Studios is also owned by The Walt Disney Company, so the vocal defending of Kimmel may cause friction moving forward. Now, another Marvel star has spoken out, calling for fans to cancel their subscriptions to Disney-owned platforms like Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN. This is even more striking considering the actress in question has her own headlining series on the former.
Tatiana Maslany, star of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law—the much-discussed streaming project from Marvel Studios–has called for the cancellation of these services. The actress, who plays the titular Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk in the show, posted a picture of her filming Attorney at Law with the caption “Cancel your Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN subscriptions!” tagging each of the official accounts.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law received a divisive reaction upon its debut on Disney+, with many fans and critics split over its execution. While Tatiana Maslany earned consistent praise for her witty and grounded portrayal of Jennifer Walters, bringing charm and relatability to the role, the series as a whole was often criticized for its uneven tone and direction.
Viewers pointed to the heavy use of CGI in She-Hulk’s transformation sequences, which some felt distracted from Maslany’s performance and lacked polish compared to Marvel’s theatrical productions. Others took issue with the show’s blend of legal comedy and superhero storytelling, noting that the pacing and reliance on cameos from other Marvel characters sometimes overshadowed Walters’ own journey.
Though Maslany’s acting was widely seen as a highlight, the mixed reception underscored Marvel’s ongoing challenges in balancing experimental humor and character-driven narratives within its Disney+ lineup–and it is likely we may never see Maslany’s She-Hulk again.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! Replacement Confirmed
Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night platform is on pause, and ABC has already lined up what comes next in his absence.
The decision on what will air in Kimmel’s slot was announced shortly after. Sinclair revealed it will broadcast a tribute to Charlie Kirk in place of Jimmy Kimmel Live! starting Friday on its ABC stations. The company is also offering the program to other ABC affiliates nationwide.
“Media conglomerate Sinclair will replace the Friday timeslot of Jimmy Kimmel Live! with a Charlie Kirk tribute special on its ABC affiliate stations–and is offering the special to all other ABC stations across the country,” Variety reported this week.
“In addition, the company is demanding that Kimmel apologize to Kirk’s family and send ‘a meaningful personal donation’ to them as well as Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk founded that advocates for conservative politics in high schools and colleges,” the outlet added. “Sinclair, one of the U.S.’s large TV station owners, has long had a reputation for having a politically conservative tilt.”
Meanwhile, Carr continued to emphasize the FCC’s stance. Speaking earlier this week (via CNN), the Trump-appointed chairman warned: “We can do this the easy way or the hard way; These companies can find ways to change conduct and take actions on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
Sinclair’s vice chairman, Jason Smith, later addressed Carr’s comments directly, offering a perspective on what the situation could mean in the broader media environment.
“We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities,” Smith said, via Variety. “We appreciate FCC Chairman Carr’s remarks today, and this incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks.”
Are you boycotting Disney products or cancelling your subscriptions? Share your thoughts with Inside the Magic in the comments below.