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Key Points

Jimmy Kimmel marked his return to social media by sharing a photo with the late, great producer Norman Lear. This comes just as his late-night show is returning to the air after a brief hiatus caused by a political firestorm. Kimmel faced backlash and temporary station blackouts for on-air comments about a controversial figure. The post also highlights Norman Lear's own legacy of creating groundbreaking television that landed him on President Nixon's infamous enemies list.

Key Points: Jimmy Kimmel Posts Norman Lear Photo Ahead of Late-Night Return

  • Kimmel posted a photo with late producer Norman Lear captioned "Missing this guy today"
  • His return follows a hiatus over remarks about a political commentator's alleged assassin
  • ABC affiliates Sinclair and Nexstar will continue to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live
  • Norman Lear was a legendary producer whose sitcoms tackled social issues like racism
3 min read

Jimmy Kimmel shares photo with Norman Lear ahead of his return to late-night show

Jimmy Kimmel returns to social media with a tribute to Norman Lear, the legendary producer on Nixon's enemies list, as his show comes back after a controversy.

"I think I just got lucky. - Norman Lear on being on Nixon's enemies list"

Washington DC, September 24

Jimmy Kimmel returned to social media for the first time since his late-night show's hiatus, and the ABC late-night host posted a photo on Tuesday with late Norman Lear, who former President Richard Nixon once singled out as one of his "enemies," as reported by Fox News.

He captioned the image, "Missing this guy today."

https://www.instagram.com/p/DO88ZNDiWAg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

He has been at the centre of a national political firestorm about free speech and the differences between "cancel culture" and "consequence culture". It marked his first public comments since he was taken off the air last week and came just hours before his return on Tuesday night, according to the outlet.

The post came hours before Kimmel's return to Jimmy Kimmel Live! following the controversy over remarks about the alleged assassin of Charlie Kirk. Kimmel faced backlash for suggesting the suspect was a MAGA supporter, leading to a veiled FCC warning and two major ABC affiliate owners temporarily pulling his show.

The Walt Disney Company confirmed Monday that after "thoughtful conversations" with Kimmel, the program would resume, although Sinclair and Nexstar affiliates will continue to preempt it.

Lear was a legendary screenwriter and producer who died in 2023 at the age of 101. His sitcoms were quite popular in their day and addressed social issues, including racism, homosexuality, and war. Some of his hit shows he created and produced include "All in the Family," "The Jeffersons" and "Good Times," as per Fox News.

Lear was known to be on the "enemies list" of President Richard Nixon, who was in the White House from 1969 to 1974, according to People.

In a 2016 interview with Democracy Now!, Lear talked about being on the "enemies list" of President Richard Nixon.

"I think I just got lucky," Lear said of his spot on Nixon's enemies list. "Well, he's on tape, you know, I think we used the tape in the American Masters documentary, where he is talking about it with [H.R.] Halderman in his office, he's talking about 'that show that makes fun of a good man.' Those were his words. And he was talking about Archie Bunker [from All in the Family] ... And he was talking about -- that we were lauding homosexuality and homosexuality brought down the Greek empire... It was Nixon at his Trump-ish," as per the outlet.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Interesting how political controversies follow entertainers everywhere, whether in US or India. Kimmel should be more careful with his words though - freedom of speech comes with responsibility.
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Sarah B
Being on Nixon's enemies list is actually a badge of honor! Lear created content that challenged the status quo. We need more creators like him in today's polarized world.
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Arjun K
The comparison between "cancel culture" and "consequence culture" is relevant for Indian media too. When celebrities here make controversial statements, there should be accountability but not outright silencing.
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Michael C
️ 101 years old! What an incredible life Norman Lear lived. His work addressed racism and homosexuality decades ago - something many countries still struggle with today. True visionary.
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Nisha Z
While I appreciate Kimmel's tribute, I wish he'd focus more on comedy and less on politics. Late night shows should entertain, not become political battlegrounds. Just my two cents!

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