In a recent development that has stirred conversations in the entertainment industry, Mark Ruffalo, a longtime star in the Marvel universe, has publicly expressed his concerns regarding ABC's decision to pull the popular late-night show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” His comments came in the wake of a report indicating a significant drop in Disney's stock, which fell by 7% following the pre-emption of Kimmel's show. Ruffalo took to Threads to share his thoughts, stating, “It’s going to go down a lot further if they cancel his show. Disney does not want to be the ones that broke America.”
Ruffalo's influence is particularly noteworthy, given his prominent role in Disney's Marvel franchise. He first appeared as Bruce Banner, also known as The Hulk, in the 2012 blockbuster “The Avengers” and has since reprised this iconic role in seven additional films and various Marvel television series. His support for Kimmel could have significant implications as Disney navigates its next steps regarding the late-night host.
Ruffalo is not alone in defending Kimmel. Comedian Wanda Sykes, who was scheduled to appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” the day the taping was canceled, shared a heartfelt video on Instagram. In her post, she defended Kimmel while criticizing the current political climate under the Trump administration. Sykes remarked, “Let’s see. He didn’t end the Ukraine war or solve Gaza within his first week. But he did end freedom of speech within his first year. Hey, for those of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy.”
Additionally, fellow late-night host Conan O’Brien took to social media platform X to express his disapproval of the situation. He stated, “The suspension of @jimmykimmel and the promise to silence other Late Night hosts for criticizing the administration should disturb everyone on the Right, Left, and Center. It’s wrong, and anyone with a conscience knows it’s wrong.” O’Brien's comments reflect a broader concern among comedians regarding the implications of political censorship in the entertainment industry.
The controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel highlights ongoing debates about freedom of speech and the role of late-night television in political discourse. As major figures like Mark Ruffalo and Wanda Sykes rally in support of Kimmel, the future of late-night programming remains uncertain. Fans and critics alike are closely watching how Disney will respond to the backlash and the potential consequences for one of its most beloved shows.
