Plain English with Derek Thompson The Jimmy Kimmel Saga and America's Free-Speech Crisis
261 snips
Sep 19, 2025 
Matt Belloni, a veteran Hollywood reporter and host of The Town podcast, dives into the fallout from Jimmy Kimmel’s controversial comments and the media's strained relationship with free speech. He shares insider details about Disney's response, Bob Iger’s strategic decisions amid political pressure, and the chilling effects of FCC threats on creativity. The discussion also highlights Hollywood's reactions and ongoing negotiations as Kimmel seeks a resolution while maintaining his platform and reputation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Rapid Backlash Forced Disney's Decision
- Jimmy Kimmel's monologue about Charlie Kirk sparked rapid political backlash and scrutiny from regulators and affiliates.
- Disney removed his show indefinitely to avoid escalating conflict with the FCC and affiliate groups.
Tone Clash Between Kimmel And ABC
- ABC worried that Kimmel's planned monologue would inflame the situation rather than calm it, and they sought a softer clarification or apology.
- Kimmel resisted a meek apology and wanted to defend his point, blocking a compromise that might have averted suspension.
Regulatory Threat Raised The Stakes
- FCC Chair Brendan Carr publicly threatened consequences, saying "we can do this the easy way or the hard way," which pressured Disney's decision-making.
- That explicit threat transformed a content dispute into a regulatory risk for ABC and Disney.