Ben Stiller, Tatiana Maslany and Wanda Sykes among those supporting US talkshow host
Disney is facing growing pressure to reverse its decision to “indefinitely” suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live!, with Hollywood actors and showrunners leading the protests.
Kimmel had spoken on Monday’s show about Tyler Robinson, who has been charged wth the shooting, suggesting that US president Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement was using Kirk’s death for its own ends.
Disney-owned ABC then pulled the show from schedules, with reports that network execs are in talks with the host about a potential return.
Ben Stiller, Jamie Lee Curtis and Wanda Sykes were among a growing band of Hollywood A-listers questioning Disney’s decision, while Transparent star Amy Landecker posted a screenshot of a cancelled Disney+ account.
Tatiana Maslany, who stars in Disney+ drama She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, used social media to urge subscribers to cancel their subscriptions, while Lost and Watchmen showrunner Damon Lindelof also questioned his future involvement with the company.
He described Kimmel as “empathetic and grateful”, adding: “You know he loves his country. You know he appreciates a good roast and he can take as good as he gives. You know he supported his crew through multiple strikes and you know he is generous and philanthropic and most of all, you know that he is kind.”
Lindelof said that he was “shocked, saddened and infuriated by yesterday’s suspension and look forward to it being lifted soon.
“If it isn’t, I can’t in good conscience work for the company that imposed it,” he wrote.
Jean Smart, star of hit comedy Hacks, said she was “horrified” at the cancellation of the Kimmel talkshow. “What Jimmy said was free speech, not hate speech,” she posted.
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