‘Lost’ Creator Damon Lindelof Won’t Work with Disney Until Jimmy Kimmel Is Back on Air

Damon Lindelof has declared he will not work with Disney until Jimmy Kimmel Live! is brought back on the air, following ABC’s decision to suspend the long-running late-night show indefinitely. The Lost and The Leftovers creator shared his position in a detailed Instagram post on Thursday.

“I was shocked, saddened and infuriated by yesterday’s suspension and look forward to it being lifted soon. If it isn’t, I can’t in good conscience work for the company that imposed it,” Lindelof wrote.

The suspension of Kimmel’s show came after his September 15 monologue, in which he criticized MAGA supporters’ response to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel said, “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.”

The Federal Communications Commission’s chairman, Brendan Carr, had previously criticized Kimmel’s remarks as “some of the sickest conduct possible” and suggested the agency might take action against Disney.

Following this, Nexstar, one of the country’s largest station groups, announced it would stop airing Kimmel’s show on its ABC affiliates for the foreseeable future. Sinclair Broadcast Group followed with a similar decision. ABC then confirmed the indefinite suspension, reportedly at the direction of Disney executives Dana Walden and CEO Bob Iger.

Lindelof highlighted Kimmel’s personal and professional character, praising him and his wife Molly. “If you know Jimmy, you know his incredible wife and head writer, Molly, who is not just his better half but his better three quarters. You also know he is caring and empathic and grateful. You know he loves his country. You know he appreciates a good roast and he can take as good as he gives. You know he supported his crew through multiple strikes and you know he is generous and philanthropic and most of all, you know that he is kind,” Lindelof wrote.

He also asked followers to think carefully before reacting online, emphasizing the difference between jokes and hate speech. “I think you still do. And Jimmy? You’ve ALWAYS known what you were doing. Love you and support you,” he concluded.

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