How Michael Eisner’s Bold Words Forced Disney to Bring Back Jimmy Kimmel
Recent events surrounding the suspension and subsequent return of Jimmy Kimmel Live! have caused a stir, leading to significant public outcry. As the drama unfolded, the powerful players in the entertainment industry were quick to react. Disney CEO Bob Iger, who had already been under pressure for a variety of issues, found himself at the center of a controversy that seemed to only intensify as the days went on.
It all started when Kimmel’s comments regarding political matters sparked immediate backlash. What began as a response to a tragic incident quickly turned into a firestorm of accusations and political statements that snowballed out of control.
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The suspension of his show seemed like a direct response to this criticism, but what ultimately led to his return wasn’t just the voices of angry fans or celebrities—there was one figure whose words proved to be the tipping point.
As tensions mounted, the issue escalated beyond just Kimmel’s suspension. On September 15, Kimmel had made a controversial remark about the tragic death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Speculating on the political affiliations of the young man responsible for the incident, Kimmel’s comments caught the attention of the highest levels of government, including the Trump administration.
Brendan Carr, head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), quickly issued a veiled threat, suggesting that Disney would face an investigation if Kimmel wasn’t removed from the airwaves.
The impact on Disney was immediate. With two major affiliates, NexStar Media and Sinclair Broadcasting, pulling the show from their stations, it became clear that the network was in a tough position. The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! was met with swift and vocal backlash, with critics including former President Barack Obama and a variety of Disney stars.
Many Disney fans took to social media, calling for boycotts of Disney+ and even canceling their vacations to Disney properties in protest.
On September 19, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner made waves with a pointed tweet questioning the current state of leadership at Disney. “Where has all the leadership gone?” he wrote, a statement that seemed to strike at the heart of Disney’s decision-making process.
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For years, Eisner’s relationship with Bob Iger has been strained, but the impact of his criticism was undeniable. Eisner, who was instrumental in reshaping Disney during his tenure, has always maintained a formidable presence in the industry, even after stepping down as CEO in 2005.
Despite the mounting pressure from all sides, it wasn’t until Michael Eisner weighed in that Bob Iger seemed to make his decision. Sources close to Iger revealed that the former CEO’s tweet had a significant effect on him, despite their complicated history.
According to a report from Puck:
An old Disney hand told me that Iger “loathes Eisner, who tortured and humiliated him in the C.E.O. succession process,” but that doesn’t mean Iger can just shake it off when Eisner calls him out. Eisner was a dominant figure associated with the resuscitation of Disney, which had been adrift before Eisner and his team took over in 1984. Eventually, Eisner’s star faded, but he still has stature, I would guess particularly since Iger had to operate in his shadow for so long.
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Insiders also say that Iger, known for having thin skin, was already feeling the pressure before Eisner’s tweet surfaced. They added that while Eisner generally avoided political commentary during his tenure, he likely would have spoken out in support of Jimmy Kimmel and his right to free speech.
Two sources who have worked closely with Eisner said they believe he would have made a quick decision to threaten Sinclair and Nexstar, the two station groups that pledged to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! over the host’s edgy comment about the “MAGA gang’s” response to the Charlie Kirk assassination, with hellfire if they persisted in refusing to carry the show. “Michael doesn’t give a f**k what anybody else thinks if he thinks he’s doing the right thing,” a former Disney insider told me. (“And sometimes it would bite him in the ass,” he added.)
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As the days passed, it became clear that Kimmel’s return was inevitable, but the decision wasn’t entirely driven by the widespread public outcry. Despite the intense backlash, Disney’s stock price had begun to take a hit, dropping more than 2% after Kimmel’s suspension. This financial blow only added to the pressure, and Disney was forced to act. Kimmel’s return to the airwaves was announced on September 26, just days after the critical tweet from Eisner.
However, even after Kimmel returned to the air, the controversy didn’t die down. Trump continued to voice his dissatisfaction with the decision, and a group of Disney shareholders demanded an explanation from the company’s board of directors regarding the suspension. They believed that Kimmel’s suspension was politically motivated and had ultimately harmed the company’s financial standing.
What do you think of Michael Eisner publicly calling out Bob Iger and questioning his leadership abilities? How do you think Mr. Iger should handle the fallout from Disney and ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live!? Should Bob Iger make a public statement or continue to stay quiet? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
