“Talk show hosts are going down like Blockbusters in the ’90s.»
Bill Maher turned his monologue into a moment of solidarity this week, coming to Jimmy Kimmel’s defense after ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live!—a decision Maher couldn’t help but link to his own firing from the same network 24 years ago.
“I know why you’re happy tonight: I’m still on,” Maher opened to cheers. “Talk show hosts are going down like Blockbusters in the ’90s … Let me just tell you something, I am not intimidated by the FCC, and if President Trump is watching, I have one thing to say to you: Have you lost weight? You look terrific.”
The Real Time host reminded viewers of the déjà vu. “It was 24 years to the day that I made comments on ABC that got me canceled from that network, and Jimmy Kimmel took my slot at Politically Incorrect. I got canceled before cancel even had a culture.”
(Back in 2001, Maher lost his late-night perch after controversial post-9/11 comments led advertisers and affiliates to flee; ABC filled the slot with Kimmel, who has remained in the network’s late-night lineup ever since.
