After remaining silent for two episodes, Whoopi Goldberg and her co-hosts on ABC's "The View" have finally addressed the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel by the network. Fans speculated that the hosts might have been instructed by their parent company to refrain from discussing the matter. However, during the episode aired on Monday, September 22, Goldberg opened the show with a clear message: “Did y’all really think we weren’t going to talk about Jimmy Kimmel? I mean, have you watched the show over the last 29 seasons? No one silences us.”
Goldberg elaborated on the situation, stating, “When the news broke last week about Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, we took a breath to see if Jimmy was going to say anything about it first.” She emphasized that while it’s possible for a show to be taken off the air due to controversial statements, “the government cannot apply pressure to force someone to be silenced.” This statement underlines the importance of free speech in the media landscape.
Ana Navarro, another co-host, expressed her confusion over the situation, questioning, “I don’t understand how in this country, where the First Amendment was made to the Constitution to guarantee freedom of the press and freedom of speech, how the government itself is using its weight and power to bully and scare people into silence.” This sentiment reflects a growing concern among public figures about the implications of governmental influence on media.
Alyssa Farah Griffin contributed to the discussion by asserting, “The First Amendment is the first for a reason, because you need to be able to hold those in power accountable.” This highlights the essential role that free speech plays in a democratic society and the responsibility of media to challenge authority.
Goldberg concluded the segment with a powerful reminder about equality and freedom of expression. “We talk about freedom of speech a lot because we are always in somebody’s mess because somebody has decided that we have said something that’s offensive,” she said. “But we fight for everybody’s right to have freedom of speech because it means my speech is free, it means your speech is free.” This reinforces the idea that freedom of speech is a universal right that should be upheld for all individuals.
On September 18, the day following ABC's announcement of Kimmel’s suspension, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr suggested that the FCC should investigate “The View” as well. The lack of commentary from the hosts on the subsequent episode deepened fans’ curiosity about the situation. Carr explained on a radio show that the FCC has an “equal opportunity rule” but noted an exception for bona fide news programs. He questioned whether “The View” qualifies as a bona fide news show, suggesting that it may not be exempt from those regulations.
In contrast to the hosts of "The View," several non-ABC television personalities quickly condemned Kimmel's suspension. Stephen Colbert labeled the decision as “blatant censorship” aimed at appeasing Donald Trump. Similarly, Jimmy Fallon voiced his support for Kimmel's return and vowed to continue making jokes about Trump, regardless of potential censorship implications. David Letterman criticized the situation, stating, “This is managed media. And it’s no good. It’s silly. It’s ridiculous. And you can’t go around firing somebody because you’re fearful or trying to suck up to an authoritarian criminal administration in the Oval Office.”
Additionally, Howard Stern announced that he canceled his Disney+ subscription in protest of ABC's decision regarding Kimmel. He remarked, “I just know when the government begins to interfere... it’s the wrong direction for our country.” His cancellation serves as a form of protest, signaling public discontent with perceived governmental overreach into media.
As of the morning of September 22, Kimmel remains off the air, leaving many viewers and fellow hosts concerned about the implications of this suspension on freedom of speech and expression in the entertainment industry.
