Kimmel on mass shootings: ‘Nobody is doing anything about it’
BEVERLY HILLS » Jimmy Kimmel would rather not discuss mass shootings and other horrific events on his ABC talk show. But he claims that he and his fellow late-night hosts feel obligated to do so because “nobody is doing anything about it at all.”
Kimmel on Monday appeared at the Television Critics Association summer press tour — just days after deadly shootings in Gilroy, Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas, left a nation in shock.
He was asked about the evolving role of late-night TV personalities, who in recent years have become more vocal — and opinionated — when it comes to current events and politics.
“There’s now an expectation that late-night talk shows will address these horrible things,” he told reporters. “I wish we didn’t have to, but nobody is doing anything about it at all. We seem to forget about these tragedies nationally four days after they happen.”
Kimmel, a frequent critic of President Donald Trump (he called him a “monster” during the session), said he’d rather spend time on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” just “being funny.”
“But how do you walk on stage and ignore it?” he said. “I wish I could. … It’s not fun. … It takes a lot out of me.”
As for the recent shootings, Kimmel said, “I don’t have any thoughts that are new or groundbreaking … but to just to remind people that 97% of Americans believe we should have background checks for purchases at gun shows. But our politicians don’t seem to care about what we think.”
Kimmel said he “seriously considered” leaving “Jimmy Kimmel Live” before signing a three-year deal earlier this year, in part because he “felt appreciated” by Disney/ABC leadership.
“Plus a lot of my relatives would be unemployed if I quit the show,” he cracked.
On the other hand, don’t expect him to host the Oscars anytime soon. He’s had enough of the stress — and criticism — that come with the job. “For me it’s kind of a f—ing nightmare.”