We’re hearing from Jimmy Kimmel for the first time since the suspension of his late-night show. Kimmel has posted a photo of himself on Instagram with the late TV legend Norman Lear, with a caption that reads “Missing this guy today.”
Kimmel shared the photo just hours before his return tonight to Jimmy Kimmel Live!, less than a week after ABC/Disney suspended the show following a furor around the comedian’s comments about Charlie Kirk’s killer, described by the network as “ill-timed” and “insensitive.”
It was a clear message from Kimmel to share a photo with Lear, who left a legacy of challenging censorship and promoting diversity and inclusion on television, addressing topics rarely seen on TV before, with his shows such as All In The Family, The Jefferson, Good Times and Maude, among others.
Lear landed on President Richard Nixon’s “enemies list” and was notably outspoken in his battles with the FCC.
During his Dec. 17, 2023 show, Kimmel became emotional in his tribute to Lear, calling him “not only a giant in the world of television, but a great man who was one of the most important and impressive people I ever had the pleasure of meeting.”
“He changed situation comedy in the best possible way,” Kimmel said of Lear. “He taught us so much about so many serious things, always making us laugh while he did it, and everyone who works in or even watches television owes him a great debt. Especially me.”
Lear founded the nonprofit progressive organization People For the American Way in 1981 to counter the growing influence of the religious right in the U.S., particularly the Moral Majority led by Jerry Falwell.
Lear and Kimmel had teamed up to make Live in Front of a Studio Audience, a series of ABC specials in which contemporary actors staged episodes of classic Lear sitcoms that aired live from 2019-2021.
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