How Joann Iacono Stood by Jimmy Kimmel During His ABC Suspension
Jimmy Kimmel received unwavering support from his mother, Joann Iacono, while his show faced suspension from ABC.
“My mom kept bringing over tons of [food],” Kimmel shared with guest Lisa Ann Walter during the Wednesday, September 24, episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! “She’s like, ‘Can I drop off some pasta e fagioli?’ She even brought cookies with my face on them to the show last night.”
Walter, 62, also spoiled Kimmel with a gift of homemade maccheroni alla pesarese. She joked that her “plan” was to offer “the types of food Americans love the most,” including “a nice home-cooked meal and a great rack.”
“I figured since you were off work for a few days, you could use some food,” Walter laughed. “I like to help.”
Kimmel made his comeback on Tuesday, September 23, after a temporary suspension due to comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, accused murderer Tyler Robinson, and President Donald Trump’s response to Kirk’s death. (Kirk was shot at a Utah Valley University event on September 10 and passed away at 31.)
An ABC spokesperson confirmed to Us Weekly on September 17 that Live! would be “preempted indefinitely.” Thus, the show was off the air for six days.
Before Kimmel’s suspension, Nexstar Media, which owns several TV stations, allegedly threatened to remove Kimmel’s show from the schedule. The company stated to Variety that they “strongly” disagreed with “recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel regarding Charlie Kirk’s murder.” Us reached out for Kimmel’s comments at that time.
Following backlash from fans and celebrities, which included a letter signed by 400 stars, the Walt Disney Company announced that the show would resume within a week of being taken off the air.
“We made this decision because we felt some comments were poorly timed and insensitive. In the days since, we’ve had thoughtful discussions with Jimmy, and after these conversations, we decided to bring the show back on Tuesday,” the statement continued.
Even with Kimmel’s return on Tuesday, Sinclair Broadcast Group insisted that Kimmel should apologize to Kirk’s family and provide a “meaningful personal donation” to them and to his nonprofit organization. The group indicated it would continue to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! across its 38 affiliate stations, with Nexstar aligning as well.
Kimmel addressed the situation during his monologue on Tuesday, clarifying his remarks regarding Kirk.
“I’ve been hearing a lot about what I need to say tonight, and honestly, I don’t think my words will change much,” he said. “If you like me, you like me; if you don’t, I have no delusions of changing anyone’s opinion. But I want to make this clear because it matters to me: It was never my intent to make light of the murder of a young man. There’s nothing funny about it.”
He added, “I posted a message on Instagram on the day [Charlie] was killed, expressing my love for his family and calling for compassion. I meant it then and still do. My intention was never to blame any specific group for the actions of a deeply disturbed individual. That was the opposite of my point, but I understand why some may have found it ill-timed or unclear, or perhaps both.”
After discussing the significance of the First Amendment, Kimmel reflected on Charlie’s wife, Erika Kirk, who stated that she “forgives” her husband’s alleged killer.
“There was a very touching moment over the weekend — on Sunday, Erika Kirk forgave the man who shot her husband. She forgave him. That is an example we should emulate,” he remarked. “If you believe in the teachings of Jesus, as I do, there it is. That’s it. A selfless act of grace and forgiveness from a grieving widow. It moved me greatly, and I hope it resonates with many. If there’s anything we can learn from this tragedy to carry forward, I hope it is that. Not this.”
