Kimmel, Censorship, and the New Public Sphere

Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show just got suspended after a monologue lit the wrong political fuse. ABC caved under pressure from affiliates, advertisers, and even the FCC — turning satire into collateral damage. In this episode, I break down what happens when comedy collides with politics: Habermas’ shrinking public sphere, Chomsky’s propaganda filters, Debord’s spectacle, and the outrage economy that decides what survives. Turns out the punchline isn’t the joke — it’s who’s allowed to keep talking.