The Meaning Behind Jimmy Kimmel’s First Post Since ABC Pulled His Show

Jimmy Kimmel made his first post since his late night show was taken off the air last Wednesday.

Hours before Kimmel’s show was set to return to ABC on Tuesday, the host posted a photo of himself with TV writer, producer, and activist Norman Lear, who died in 2023.

“Missing this guy today,” Kimmel wrote.

Lear, who created and produced several classic sitcoms, including All in the Family and The Jeffersons, was also outspoken against the Federal Communications Commission. As People points out, he co-signed a lawsuit against the FCC in 1976 over how the organization enacted a family viewing time rule, requiring programming between 7-9 p.m. ET to be suitable for all ages. He was also on one of Richard Nixon’s enemy lists.

Jimmy Kimmel Live was pulled from ABC’s lineup last Wednesday following backlash from the FCC—and subsequently local TV giants Nexstar and Sinclair—over Kimmel’s previous comments regarding the death of Charlie Kirk.

Despite the show’s return, Nexstar—which is seeking approval from the FCC over a $6.2 billion merger with rival Tegna—and Sinclair announced plans to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live’s return on local ABC affiliates in favor of news programming.