UPDATE: In a heated response to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) recent enforcement of its “equal time” mandate, late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert are raising concerns over what they describe as a “crackdown” aimed at silencing their shows. This news comes after Kimmel’s Thursday night monologue where he accused the FCC of attempting to “stifle” political discourse on air.
During his show, Kimmel highlighted the FCC’s notice mandating networks to provide equal airtime to opposing political candidates. He claimed that this move is part of a broader effort by President Trump to wage a “war on talk shows.” Kimmel referred to FCC chair Brendan Carr as “Brendan Cartel,” accusing him of “reinterpreting long-agreed-upon rules” to suppress dissenting viewpoints.
Kimmel pointed out that the “equal time” rules were established during a time when radio was the dominant medium and have since been applied to television. He emphasized that late-night shows have operated under an exemption since 2006, when former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared on “The Tonight Show.” Kimmel argued that removing this exemption is a “sneaky little way” to limit diverse viewpoints in media.
“Broadcast TV used to account for 100% of viewing…now it’s like 20%,” Kimmel noted, questioning the relevance of the rule in today’s media landscape. He expressed uncertainty about the implications of the FCC’s decision, stating, “I have no idea what the outcome of this is going to be. We’ll find out. This is another example of this administration trying to squash anyone who doesn’t support them.”
Colbert added his voice on Thursday, humorously addressing the audience about the FCC’s new regulations. “I got to watch what I say about Trump, because Johnny Law is once again coming after yours truly here,” he said, drawing boos from the crowd. Colbert referenced a New York Times article describing the FCC’s actions as a “new crackdown on late-night TV,” remarking that this could have “enormous implications” for the remainder of his show.
Colbert’s lawyer reportedly advised him against discussing the “new crackdown rules,” which he claims are aimed at silencing not only him but also Kimmel and fellow host Seth Meyers. He jokingly addressed the FCC directly, saying, “Hey, I’m flattered you think that appearing on my show has the power to affect politics in any way.”
This FCC decision marks a significant shift in how political content is managed on broadcast networks, raising fears among late-night hosts about the future of their shows. As Colbert noted, “If our government had turned out the way I had chosen, you would not have the power to make this announcement.”
As the situation develops, viewers and fans of late-night television are left wondering how these new regulations will impact their favorite shows and the broader political discourse on national television. Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding story.
