Marvel’s Lindelof Vows to Halt Disney Work in Support of kimmel Amid boycott Calls
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 12, 2023 - Jimmy Kimmel is receiving an outpouring of support from Hollywood figures, including prominent Marvel creator Damon Lindelof, following a week-long suspension of his late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live! stemming from controversial monologue jokes made during the recent writers’ strike. Lindelof, known for his work on Lost and The Leftovers, stated he “can’t in good conscience work for the company” if the suspension isn’t lifted, marking the first high-profile creator to publicly threaten a business break wiht Disney over the matter.
The suspension, prompted by criticism from Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr (a Trump appointee) and backlash from Nexstar media group – which operates numerous ABC affiliate networks – has ignited a debate over free speech and the role of government influence on late-night comedy. Kimmel’s jokes, delivered during a strike supporting writers, drew fire for perceived disrespect towards striking actors.
Beyond Lindelof, Scandal and Little Fires Everywhere star Kerry Washington, a longtime collaborator with ABC and Hulu, voiced her support on Instagram, writing, ”You’ve always supported me, my work and my voice for years, and I’m endlessly grateful for your friendship, partnership, the laughter and encouragement. Now it’s my turn to stand with and for you.” She labeled the suspension “not just unfair, it’s unjust.”
A statement signed by hundreds of comedians, including Jimmy Fallon, Chelsea Handler, Rosie O’donnell, W. Kamau Bell, and Margaret Cho, is circulating and gaining signatures.The statement reads, “it’s a dark time for comedians, and by extension, for all Americans. When the government targets one of us, they target us all. They strike at the heart of our shared humanity. They strip away the basic right every person deserves: to speak freely, question boldly and laugh loudly.”
handler further demonstrated her solidarity by sharing a TikTok clip revealing she was scheduled to appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live! the day before the suspension. She emphasized the importance of the First Amendment, stating, ”People have always faced backlash for things that they’ve said, but we’ve just never had the government or government agencies like the FCC leading the charge to silence people before.Well,not as McCarthyism,which is one of the ugliest times in American history.”
The controversy underscores growing concerns about potential government overreach into creative expression and the implications for political satire in the current media landscape.