On September 18, Kerry Washington took to Instagram to openly support Jimmy Kimmel following recent backlash. The Scandal star expressed her gratitude for Kimmel’s friendship and advocacy, emphasizing her readiness to stand with him amid ongoing challenges. Washington praised Kimmel’s kindness and integrity, calling the treatment he has received “unfair” and “unjust,” highlighting the broader implications for late-night television.
Mixed Responses to Washington’s Expression of Support
Washington’s message also extended solidarity toward Stephen Colbert, whose show The Late Show With Stephen Colbert faced cancellation abruptly. She linked these incidents to larger concerns about freedom of speech and the independence of the press, warning of threats to democratic values. In her post, she stated,
Silencing voices like yours and @stephenathome goes far beyond just entertainment; it threatens freedom of speech, an independent press, and ultimately, our democracy,
further affirming,
You are not alone. I stand with you, my friend. Always.
Fans responded with a mixture of praise and criticism. Many applauded Washington for defending Kimmel, with comments invoking the strength of her Scandal character Olivia Pope, such as
We need Olivia Pope more than ever.
Others humorously asserted support with remarks like
Kerry called Jimmy and said, ‘It’s handled’.
and
And because she spoke up, y’all better not try it with scandal either or we RIDE AT DAWN!!!!
However, some users challenged her position, bringing attention to more serious consequences of free speech and questioning the disparity in public support. One commenter said,
Imagine losing your life not your job, but your life ??!
Another added,
Y’all praise someone that got their show cancelled for speaking his mind, but don’t show love to someone who died for it? Crazy work.
Context Behind the Cancellation of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’
On September 17, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was removed from ABC’s lineup after a significant affiliate, Nexstar, dropped the program. This decision followed Kimmel’s critical remarks about Charlie Kirk, which sparked controversy. The Sinclair Broadcast Group also pulled the show from their ABC stations and demanded Kimmel make donations to Kirk’s family and Turning Point USA. During the September 13 episode, Kimmel addressed the incident in his opening monologue, stating,
We had 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 with everything they can to score political points from it,
expressing his perspective on the political fallout surrounding the event.
Significance and Potential Outcomes of the Dispute
Kerry Washington’s vocal defense of Jimmy Kimmel underlines the growing tension within late-night television and political discourse in media. The strong reactions from viewers underscore deep divides about free speech and accountability. As networks and affiliates choose sides, the future of such programs may hinge on balancing audience sensitivities with the hosts’ right to express their views. Washington’s support also highlights the role public figures play in shaping these debates and encouraging dialogue amidst backlash and censorship concerns.
