On the Friday episode of HBO’s Real Time, Bill Maher addressed the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! with the measured, incisive tone of someone who has walked through similar fires. “If this firing goes for you the way it did for me, you’ll get 23 years on a better network,” Maher said, referencing his own experience with ABC decades ago. Speaking from experience, Maher framed the controversy not merely as a late-night spat but as a cautionary tale about the perils of censorship, corporate overreach, and political pressure.
Maher opened his monologue with the news at hand: “Well, I guess you all heard Jimmy Kimmel, my friend, my compatriot, he’s canned by ABC for comments he made about Charlie Kirk’s assassin.” The words carried a mixture of sympathy and outrage. “The day right after [he made the comments], the head of the FCC said he’s gonna revoke ABC’s license,” Maher added. “Let me just tell you something: I am not intimidated by the FCC. And if President Trump is watching, I have one thing to say to you — have you lost weight?”
Drawing on his own history, Maher reminded viewers that controversy is not new in late-night television. In 2001, just days after the September 11 attacks, he faced a storm over remarks about the hijackers while hosting ABC’s Politically Incorrect. Conservative commentator Dinesh D’Souza had argued that the hijackers were not cowards, citing their willingness to die during the attacks, and Maher countered with a critique of the United States’ military response. The resulting backlash culminated in a wave of public criticism and ultimately led to the show’s cancellation after the 2001–2002 season. “It was 24 years to the day that I made comments on ABC that got me canceled from that network, and Jimmy Kimmel took my slot at Politically Incorrect,” Maher said. “Oh yes, I got canceled before ‘cancel culture’ even had a name. This shit ain’t new.”
With that perspective, Maher expressed solidarity with Kimmel. “Jimmy, pal, I am with you. I support you. And on the bright side, you don’t have to pretend anymore that you like Disneyland,” he quipped, blending humor with serious commentary. Later, Maher emphasized Kimmel’s long-term contribution to late-night: “Jimmy, let me just say, you did a great, funny show for two decades. You should be proud of that. If this firing goes for you the way it did for me, you’ll get 23 years on a better network.”
Maher then contextualized the suspension in the current political climate. Kimmel’s remarks about Tyler Robinson, the alleged shooter of Charlie Kirk, had sparked outrage across conservative media and political spheres. “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 had said during his monologue, which became the catalyst for ABC’s suspension. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr subsequently weighed in, encouraging affiliates like Nexstar and Sinclair to push back on ABC’s programming. Within hours, Kimmel’s episode was canceled, and the show was preempted indefinitely.
During the panel segment of Real Time, Maher reflected on the broader implications of the situation. He read a post by Charlie Kirk regarding free speech: “‘Hate speech does not exist legally in America,’ says Charlie Kirk. ‘There’s ugly speech. There’s gross speech. There’s evil speech. And all of it is protected by the First Amendment. Keep America free.’ Could you guys at least honor the person you’re insisting that we honor by honoring his words?” Maher emphasized that, regardless of personal disagreement, Kimmel should not lose his platform for expressing commentary.
Maher also noted the conspicuous silence of The View’s co-hosts. “I gotta say, and I’m friendly with the ladies on The View, but they didn’t say anything about [Kimmel’s suspension] this week. Nothing,” he remarked, noting the contrast between the show’s upbeat party atmosphere and the seriousness of censorship and free speech issues. “Girls, go out strong, OK? It won’t kill you. I promise it’s happened to me, and I may go out after this show. We don’t know.”
The discussion extended to other ongoing controversies. Maher touched on President Trump’s $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times, framing it within the broader context of media accountability and partisan conflict. “Trump is going after The New York Times. He sued them for $15 billion. He said they’re a ‘mouthpiece of the Democratic Party.’ You know what, Don? They are. You’re right, and that’s their right to be that,” Maher explained. “Like there’s not a thousand people on the right who are your mouthpiece. That’s how we work in this country.”
Maher’s analysis highlighted the precarious position of late-night hosts. They operate at the intersection of entertainment, journalism, and political commentary, and their platforms are increasingly vulnerable to both corporate and political pressures. By situating Kimmel’s suspension within his own history and broader First Amendment principles, Maher framed the controversy as a cautionary tale about the erosion of editorial freedom and the risks inherent in speaking truth to power.
The host also reflected on the long-term implications for the late-night ecosystem. Colleagues such as Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Seth Meyers publicly voiced disapproval of Kimmel’s suspension, underscoring solidarity within the industry. While ABC claimed the suspension was a procedural decision, insiders noted that the network’s timing—just days after Kimmel’s controversial monologue—suggested a mix of public-relations concerns, regulatory pressure, and advertiser influence. Maher’s commentary connected the dots between historical precedent, current events, and the systemic challenges that shape what late-night hosts can say.
Ultimately, Maher’s defense of Kimmel combined wit, experience, and moral clarity. He reminded audiences that controversy is nothing new, that censorship has long been a latent threat, and that standing firm in one’s convictions is both necessary and courageous. “Jimmy, pal, I support you,” Maher concluded. “And remember, the day may come when the stakes are high—but so is the reward of doing what’s right.”
The segment underscored the complicated dynamics of late-night television in 2025: hosts must navigate corporate oversight, regulatory scrutiny, advertiser pressure, and the ever-watchful eye of a politicized public. Maher’s monologue framed Kimmel’s suspension not simply as a disciplinary action, but as a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over free speech, satire, and the cultural role of television. By connecting historical experience with contemporary controversy, Maher reinforced the notion that comedy, commentary, and criticism remain vital instruments of public discourse—even when the consequences are personal, professional, and highly visible.
