EMMA PIRHALA / MANAGING EDITOR

Late night television has often been associated with celebrity guests, viral videos and chaotic challenges. However, a new trend is emerging on these small screen shows: censorship. Disney’s ABC announced that they were pulling “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” off the air. After the cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in July, the recent removal of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is the latest move in a nationwide shift towards censorship. 

This came in response to Kimmel speaking out about the assasination of the right-wing conservative podcaster, Charlie Kirk, during his show on Sept. 15. 

Jimmy Kimmel’s Instagram post about the death of Charlie Kirk. Photo courtesy of @jimmykimmel/Instagram

“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,” Kimmel said on air.

There was immediate retaliation from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the government agency responsible for monitoring the media, with Trump-appointed FCC Chair Brendan Carr speaking out about the comment. 

“It was not making fun,” Carr said. “It was appearing to directly mislead the American public about a significant fact that probably one of the most significant political events we’ve had in a long time, for the most significant political assassination we’ve seen in a long time.”

Although “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was   eventually   reinstated on Sept. 22, with a return date for the following Tuesday, the damage had already been done. USD sophomore Jocelynn Jaregui expressed her stance on the cancellation. 

“I think it’s crazy for them to cancel the show,” Jaregui said. “I am scared for what the country is moving to. I think more people should be outraged about it. Because it’s only what this administration wants.”

Propelled by discourse at the federal level, other talk show hosts are becoming increasingly fearful of government backlash. However, in late show fashion, many turned to making jokes about the situation to ease the tension.

Colbert joked that the “late nightmare is over,”  and commented that  “martyrdom ain’t big enough for the both of [them].”

Although Kimmel’s show will be returning,  media conglomerates Nexstar and Sinclair  refused to air his show on their ABC affiliate stations.

This comes as Nexstar seeks to  acquire Tegna, a media company. The  transaction would require approval from the FCC, since it would breach the maximum market share regulations.

Kimmel’s return, although short-awaited,   forces some to rethink their views on government intervention in the media.

Jimmy Kimmel and his wife, Molly McNearney, at the Gracie award show. Photo courtesy of @jimmykimmel/Instagram