Does Anybody Remember Laughter?
They say laughter is the best medicine. They’re wrong. That’s Tylenol. But laughter helps and we got a little of it back last night with the de-suspension of Jimmy Kimmel. As you might imagine, an attack on the freedom of expression by someone critical of the administation who interjects humor into the day’s headlines is of particular importance to me. But, given America’s slide toward the kind of authoritarianism that silences dissent, it should be of particular importance to everyone. As Kimmel explained: “This show is not important. What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this. I’ve had the opportunity to meet and spend time with comedians and talk show hosts from countries like Russia, countries in the Middle East who tell me they would get thrown in prison for making fun of those in power. And worse than being thrown in prison. They know how lucky we are here. Our freedom to speak is what they admire most about this country.” We’re losing our collective grasp on a lot of America’s most admirable characteristics. Saving, at least for now, the voice of one late night talkshow host on broadcast TV might seem like a small win. But seeing artists, viewers, colleagues, competitors, and a massive corporation like Disney stand up for an American value is a big deal. It’s also proved to be a rare fight in which people across the political spectrum seemed to find some common ground. “I definitely don’t think that the government should be involved ever in dictating what a comedian can or cannot say in a monologue. That’s f-cking crazy.” That’s what I think. It’s also what Joe Rogan said. Maybe the combination of protests, pressure, and corporate spine-showing has the makings of a playbook that can be replicated. That’s the hope, anyway. I don’t know how this fight will play out. Maybe Kimmel’s return will mark one of American democracy’s last stands, or maybe it will be a meaningful step in a broader movement to safeguard democracy’s most precious attributes. That part isn’t up to Disney or Kimmel. It’s up to you and me. If we don’t rise to the occasion, well, then the joke will be on us.
+ “But when Mr. Kimmel returned on Tuesday, there was nothing shadowy or diminished about him. He did not apologize abjectly or rein himself in as a model for a chilling new form of tempered speech. Neither did he bound onstage and preen in triumph in a defiantly juvenile way. Instead he recognized every note that needed to be hit, and he hit them all with precision and impressive grace.” Jimmy Kimmel Rose to the Occasion.
+ Here’s the entire monologue, which as you’d expect, will grow to become the show’s most viral and viewed video ever. “As I was saying before I was interrupted…”
