Disney faces a boycott from major stars and creators after Jimmy Kimmel Live! was put on indefinite hiatus, with many standing against the company’s decision. Multiple high-profile figures have come out in support of Kimmel since his late-night talk show was put on hiatus following comments he made about the assassination of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk.
Now, high-profile creatives within Hollywood have pledged to boycott Disney after production on Jimmy Kimmel Live! was indefinitely halted. Damon Lindelof, best known for writing and producing Lost, confirmed he intended not to work with Disney until Kimmel’s show returns:
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Pedro Pascal also shared an image from a previous appearance he made on Kimmel’s show, saying he’s “standing with” the late night host and calling to “Defend #FreeSpeech” and “#DEMOCRACY“:
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Reporter Matthew Belloni also stated “other talent” are considering similar approaches in response to the show’s cancellation:
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What Boycotts Against Disney Mean For Jimmy Kimmel’s Return
Following statements Kimmel made about Kirk’s assassin, Tyler Robinson, on his show, ABC came under fire from Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr, who threatened action against the network because of what he said. Not long after, the show halted production indefinitely, though there are still plans for it to return at a later date.
Kimmel’s exact statement that led to Jimmy Kimmel Live! being suspended indefinitely was: “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.”
The boycott comes not long after the late-night TV host was offered support by a plethora of big names in the industry, from Ben Stiller to Wanda Sykes. Protests were also staged just outside the studio where Jimmy Kimmel Live! is filmed, both in support of the TV personality and against President Donald Trump’s current administration.
Because Lindelof and other Hollywood creatives are boycotting Disney over their decision, this could be the start of the industry’s ire being turned on the company. Whether this will change their decision or not, however, remains to be seen. They still need to consider their relationship with the FCC, and what it might mean for the talk show’s future.
Our Take On Boycotts Against Disney For Jimmy Kimmel’s Cancellation
Given the prior outcry from those in the industry over Jimmy Kimmel Live! being pulled from production, it’s not shocking a boycott is now starting to take place. While the show isn’t expected to be cancelled like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was, it still deals a significant blow to free speech on TV, despite controversy around his words.
The boycott may push Disney to try and find an amicable solution sooner rather than later, especially if more names publicly join the list. Given how quick the backlash has been against Jimmy Kimmel Live! getting cancelled, it would make sense for the company to try and resolve their decision quicker now that high-profile people are planning to boycott them.
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