Late-Night Hosts Rally for Kimmel: A Night of Humor and Advocacy

Fri Oct 10 2025 14:20:37 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Fallon stand in solidarity with suspended host Jimmy Kimmel as they navigate censorship concerns during their latest episodes.

In response to the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel, his fellow late-night hosts Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Fallon utilized humor and serious discussions to address censorship. Stewart and Colbert welcomed guests who spoke on press freedom, criticizing Kimmel's suspension. Fallon, while praising Kimmel, focused on entertainment without delving into the controversy. The episode revealed ongoing tensions between creative expression and corporate pressures in late-night television.

Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Fallon opened their late-night shows Thursday using a mix of humor and solidarity with suspended ABC host Jimmy Kimmel.

Stewart opted for satire to critique ABC suspending “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” indefinitely following comments he made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Colbert took a more serious approach, calling his suspension “blatant censorship.” Fallon praised Kimmel and vowed to keep doing his show as usual. Then an announcer spoke over him and replaced most of his critiques about President Donald Trump with flattery.

Their guests the day after Kimmel’s suspension varied widely. Fallon’s guests were actor Jude Law, journalist Tom Llamas, and actor and singer Jonathan Groff — none of whom addressed Kimmel’s situation.

Stewart and Colbert interviewed guests who could address censorship concerns raised by Kimmel’s suspension. Journalist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Maria Ressa spoke to Stewart.

When Stewart asked Ressa, the author of “How to Stand Up to a Dictator,” tips on coping with the current moment, Ressa recounted how she and her colleagues at the news site Rappler “just kept going” when she was faced with 11 arrest warrants in one year under Philippine then-President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We just kept doing our jobs. We just kept putting one foot in front of the other,” Ressa said.

Stewart Makes Special Appearance to Skewer Kimmel Suspension

Stewart’s show opened with a voiceover promising adherence to the party line: “We have another fun, hilarious administration-compliant show.” He lavished praise on the president and satirized his criticism of large cities and his deployment of the National Guard.

Stewart fidgeted nervously, wary of saying the wrong thing, as his set was ironically decorated to mimic the gold accents of the Trump White House.

Swift Suspension Following Remarks on Kirk’s Assassination

Kimmel made several remarks about the reaction to Kirk's killing on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” including that “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on Kirk’s murder.” After ABC stations expressed concerns, Kimmel was suspended.

Kimmel has not commented on his suspension, and his supporters argue his comments were misinterpreted.

‘The Late Show’ Hosts Past and Present Address Suspension

Colbert opened his Thursday monologue parodying Disney’s “Be Our Guest” to criticize the network’s decision, voicing strong support for Kimmel and lamenting threats to free speech.

Former “Late Show” host David Letterman also weighed in, criticizing the management of media in the current political climate and its implications for creative expression.