Jimmy Kimmel Suspension Sheds Light on Shifting Role of Late-Night Hosts

At the start of his late-night debut in 2003, Jimmy Kimmel fared well in ratings as an apolitical comedian who refrained from controversy, before making a major shift over the years and becoming someone recognized for his left-leaning commentary. His recent suspension on Sept. 17 from ABC has spurred conversation about the political, cultural, and regulatory consequences of on-air commentary and the evolving entertainment industry. Kimmel rose to fame in the early 2000s on Comedy Central’s “The Man Show” with comedian Adam Carolla, and together they embraced satirical and stereotypical male humor with little room for politics. When “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” first hit the airwaves in 2003, its format leaned more towards pop culture, current events, and comedy, free from one-sided political campaigning or opinions....