Wanda Sykes is talking out after her deliberate look on “Jimmy Kimmel Dwell!” was abruptly canceled when ABC suspended the late-night program on the final minute. The comic was slated to hitch her longtime pal Jimmy Kimmel on the sofa Wednesday night time, however the community pulled the plug indefinitely following backlash to Kimmel’s feedback about MAGA supporters within the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

The controversy erupted after Kimmel addressed Kirk’s homicide throughout his Monday night time monologue, saying, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately making an attempt to characterize this child who murdered Charlie Kirk as something aside from considered one of them and doing every little thing they will to attain political factors from it.”

Federal Communications Fee chair Brendan Carr condemned Kimmel’s monologue, calling it “the sickest conduct doable.” Not lengthy after, ABC revealed that “Jimmy Kimmel Dwell!” can be placed on maintain indefinitely. The information got here simply hours earlier than the scheduled airing.

Sykes, who had been billed as one of many night time’s primary visitors, shared her disappointment and anger in a candid Instagram video. “I used to be speculated to go over and have a chat with my pal Jimmy Kimmel on his present, however as you might have heard by now, the Jimmy Kimmel present has been pulled indefinitely, abruptly, due to complaints from the Trump administration,” she defined.

The Emmy-winning comic didn’t maintain again, immediately addressing the president. “So, let’s see, he didn’t finish the Ukraine battle or clear up Gaza inside his first week however he did finish freedom of speech inside his first 12 months,” she stated. “Hey, for these of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy.”

Sykes isn’t alone in her criticism. Fellow comic Rosie O’Donnell didn’t maintain again, blasting the transfer within the feedback of Sykes’ publish. “Disgrace on ABC and the FCC.”

Comedian Mike Birbiglia additionally defended Kimmel on precept, saying, “I’ve spent a whole lot of time in public & non-public defending comedians I don’t agree with. When you’re a comic & you don’t name out the madness of pulling Kimmel off the air, don’t trouble spouting off about free speech anymore.”

Different Hollywood stars, together with Ben Stiller, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jean Sensible, have defended Kimmel, with unions just like the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA calling the present’s suspension an assault on free speech.

Conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly blasted the late-night host, writing:

“I’m undecided who wants to listen to this however Jimmy Kimmel obtained on the air and falsely acknowledged as a proven fact that Charlie Kirk’s killer was MAGA, smearing a complete motion and Trump specifically with a vile disgusting lie — and at a time when the risk towards these on the proper is at an all-time excessive.”

Many others famous the chilling impact of pulling a program over political stress, particularly in an period when comedians are sometimes on the middle of cultural debates.

Followers additionally flooded the feedback part of Sykes’ publish with messages of affection and frustration.

“Wow! So unhappy!! Love you Wanda! Love you Jimmy!!” one individual wrote. One other added, “That is so disheartening.” Others applauded Sykes for her boldness, with one supporter commenting, “A lot respect for you @iamwandasykes as traditional, icon conduct for talking out!”