The debate over Jimmy Kimmel’s indefinite suspension has now pulled a Marvel star directly into the fray, as She-Hulk: Attorney at Law lead Tatiana Maslany called on audiences to cancel their Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN subscriptions, even though she headlines one of Marvel’s major streaming shows.
ABC shelved Jimmy Kimmel Live! after comments the comedian made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed in Utah last week during the launch of his “The American Comeback Tour.” Police later arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.
In his monologue earlier this week, Kimmel criticized how some political groups framed the incident.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to characterize this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said on the show.
He continued, “In between the finger-pointing, the White House flew the flag at half-staff, which got some criticism, but on a human level, you can see how hard the president was taking this.” Kimmel then joked about Trump’s handling of the situation, saying, “He’s at the fourth stage of grief: construction.”
The response was swift. Nexstar announced it would stop airing the program “for the foreseeable future,” calling the remarks “offensive and insensitive.” Sinclair followed suit, and the FCC weighed in.
Chairman Brendan Carr condemned the monologue and suggested federal consequences could follow if ABC failed to act, while commending affiliates for pulling the show. Critics, however, warned that the incident highlights increasing political pressure on media outlets and the potential consequences for freedom of expression.
At present, Jimmy Kimmel Live! remains suspended indefinitely, with affiliates dropping the program, Sinclair moving ahead with a Charlie Kirk special, and regulators warning of possible license actions.
Late-night peers Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Jon Stewart rallied around Kimmel, with Colbert labeling the decision “blatant censorship.” President Trump, meanwhile, signaled that Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers’ shows could also come under fire.
Marvel actors Mark Ruffalo and Pedro Pascal criticized the suspension, and Tatiana Maslany escalated matters further. The She-Hulk star, who portrays Jennifer Walters, shared a behind-the-scenes photo from filming Attorney at Law with the caption: “Cancel your Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN subscriptions!” tagging the official accounts.
The callout comes against the backdrop of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’s polarizing reception. Maslany drew acclaim for her comedic timing and relatable take on Walters, but the series itself received mixed notices for its uneven tone and heavy CGI. Viewers also noted that high-profile cameos sometimes overshadowed Walters’ arc.
Although Maslany was praised as the show’s strongest element, the series’ reception spotlighted Marvel’s challenges on Disney+, and her stance now raises questions about whether She-Hulk has any future in the MCU.
As for Kimmel's replacement, Sinclair wasted little time in confirming its plans for the program slot. Starting Friday, the company will run a Charlie Kirk tribute special across its ABC affiliates and is offering it to other stations nationwide.
“Media conglomerate Sinclair will replace the Friday timeslot of Jimmy Kimmel Live! with a Charlie Kirk tribute special on its ABC affiliate stations–and is offering the special to all other ABC stations across the country,” Variety reported this week.
The outlet further reported: “In addition, the company is demanding that Kimmel apologize to Kirk’s family and send ‘a meaningful personal donation' to them as well as Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk founded that advocates for conservative politics in high schools and colleges. Sinclair, one of the U.S.’s large TV station owners, has long had a reputation for having a politically conservative tilt.”
FCC Chairman Carr reiterated the agency’s stance, telling CNN: “We can do this the easy way or the hard way; These companies can find ways to change conduct and take actions on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
Jason Smith, Sinclair’s vice chairman, then responded: “We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities,” Smith said, via Variety. “We appreciate FCC Chairman Carr’s remarks today, and this incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks.”
Do you agree with Tatiana Maslany’s call to cancel Disney subscriptions? Join the conversation with us in the comments below.
