Barstool Sports activities founder Dave Portnoy has sparked a heated debate after weighing in on Jimmy Kimmel’s sudden cancellation. Following ABC’s choice to drag “Jimmy Kimmel Stay!” after the late-night host’s controversial remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Portnoy took to X (previously Twitter) to argue that Kimmel’s firing doesn’t truly qualify as “cancel tradition.” His feedback shortly went viral, drawing backlash, help, and loads of fiery debate over the place the road between cancel tradition, free speech, and penalties actually lies.
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Dave Portnoy Speaks Out Following Jimmy Kimmel Cancellation Information
In his submit, Portnoy argued that Jimmy Kimmel’s firing doesn’t truly qualify as cancel tradition:
“With Kimmel getting canned I’m seeing a number of folks speaking concerning the hypocrisy of cancel tradition. To me, cancel tradition is when folks exit of their option to dig up previous tweets, movies, and many others. searching for dust on anyone they don’t like in an effort to get them fired. Like if Kimmel received canceled for sh-t he did on ‘The Man Present,’ that might be cancel tradition. However when an individual says one thing {that a} ton of individuals discover offensive, impolite, dumb in actual time after which that individual is punished for it, that’s not cancel tradition. That’s penalties to your actions.”
Portnoy’s stance instantly divided social media, with some praising his distinction and others shredding it as splitting hairs.
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Critics Hearth Again
One viral response mocked Portnoy’s logic, writing, “So let me get this straight. If the mob punishes you for previous tweets, that’s cancel tradition. But when the mob punishes you in actual time, that’s justice. Ah sure. Very authorized. Very cool. Mob rule with a time stamp.”
One other consumer accused Portnoy of “reinventing pitchfork morality,” saying, “You assume this isn’t cancel tradition as a result of the outrage got here quick. However a flash mob with WiFi continues to be a witch trial. What you’re defending is digital execution with brisker timestamps.”
Others piled on with accusations that Portnoy was normalizing “algorithmic morality,” the concept public outrage on-line now serves as choose, jury, and executioner.
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Jimmy Kimmel Supporters Defend Free Expression
Not everybody disagreed. Some defended Jimmy Kimmel, insisting comedians shouldn’t face cancellations over controversial materials in any respect, no matter timing.
“Disagree,” one consumer wrote. “Going again by way of previous posts is a part of cancel tradition, and there must be a statute of limitations on all this pretend outrage for previous content material, we agree there, however comedians shouldn’t get canceled for real-time jokes both. Even dangerous ones. Even inaccurate ones. Even dumb or offensive ones. Mock them, ridicule them, don’t watch their present, and pour extra speech out reacting to them. However nobody in inventive areas must be in favor of cancel tradition from any angle.”
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The Authorities Angle
For others, the problem wasn’t about timing in any respect, however about who pressured ABC to behave. Many highlighted FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s feedback suggesting Disney might lose licenses if it didn’t punish Jimmy Kimmel.
“You’re proper. This isn’t cancel tradition. It’s a lot, a lot worse. It’s the authorities threatening retaliation except ABC removes Kimmel. This can be a direct violation of Freedom of Speech,” one individual argued.
One other added, “It doesn’t matter what you name it. It issues that it was canceled due to authorities strain, which got here by way of the FCC — that’s an issue.”
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The Fallout Of Jimmy Kimmel’s Elimination
After mounting backlash, ABC introduced Wednesday that “Jimmy Kimmel Stay!” can be “preempted indefinitely.” The choice adopted Nexstar’s transfer to drop the present throughout its 28 ABC associates, a sign that station strain was intensifying. Insiders additionally revealed that no less than one different main affiliate group had voiced objections, elevating the likelihood {that a} broader revolt amongst native stations helped push the community to behave. The consequence was some of the dramatic shake-ups late-night tv has seen in years.
In accordance with a supply who spoke with The Hollywood Reporter, Kimmel had been ready to deal with the controversy on Wednesday night time’s broadcast. He reportedly deliberate to stroll viewers by way of his remarks and clarify how they’d been taken out of context. The supply added that Kimmel had no intention of apologizing, as he believed his feedback didn’t warrant one.
Whether or not framed as cancel tradition, penalties, or authorities interference, Kimmel’s ouster has change into a speaking level, and it’ll doubtless ripple by way of Hollywood, media, and the broader debate over free speech in America.
