‘Lost’ Creator Damon Lindelof Says Refuses to Work with Disney Until Jimmy Kimmel Returns

Damon Lindelof has announced that he will not work with Disney until Jimmy Kimmel Live! is reinstated, following ABC’s decision to pull the late-night show off the air indefinitely. The Lost and The Leftovers creator made his statement in a long Instagram post on Thursday.

“I was shocked, saddened and infuriated by yesterday’s suspension and look forward to it being lifted soon. If it isn’t, I can’t in good conscience work for the company that imposed it,” Lindelof wrote.

The suspension came after Kimmel’s September 15 monologue, in which he criticized MAGA supporters’ response to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Kimmel said, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”

The decision to suspend the show followed warnings from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who described Kimmel’s comments as “some of the sickest conduct possible” and suggested the agency could take action against Disney.

Shortly after, Nexstar, one of the country’s largest station groups, dropped the show from its ABC affiliates for the foreseeable future, with Sinclair Broadcast Group following suit. Hours later, ABC announced the indefinite suspension. Deadline reported that the call to suspend Kimmel’s show came from Disney executives Dana Walden and CEO Bob Iger.

The suspension has sparked widespread backlash, including protests outside ABC studios in Burbank and Hollywood. Many in the entertainment industry have voiced support for Kimmel, citing concerns about free speech and the influence of political pressure on networks.

In his Instagram post, Lindelof defended Kimmel’s character and praised his work ethic. “If you know Jimmy, you know his incredible wife and head writer, Molly, who is not just his better half but his better three quarters. You also know he is caring and empathic and grateful. You know he loves his country.”

“You know he appreciates a good roast and he can take as good as he gives. You know he supported his crew through multiple strikes and you know he is generous and philanthropic and most of all, you know he is kind,” Lindelof wrote.

He also urged people to consider the difference between jokes and hate speech. “I think you still do. And Jimmy? You’ve ALWAYS known what you were doing. Love you and support you,” Lindelof concluded.

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