Jimmy Kimmel Live wins Peabody Award

Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the U.S. late-night talk show briefly pulled off the air after host Jimmy Kimmel drew backlash over comments targeting U.S. President Donald Trump and supporters of the MAGA (“Make America Great Again”) movement, has been awarded one of American broadcasting’s top honors, the George Foster Peabody Award.

The Peabody Awards board announced on April 23 (local time) that ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! was selected as the winner in the entertainment category at the 86th annual awards. In its statement, the jury said the long-running program, hosted by comedian Jimmy Kimmel, has aired for 23 years and experienced “an unprecedented moment in U.S. television history” this season. It noted that the show, which was briefly suspended, returned following what it described as a strong public response in defense of free speech.

The committee said the award recognizes the program’s role in illustrating how comedy and satire can come under pressure while remaining a key form of democratic expression.

Kimmel came under scrutiny last year after comments he made on air about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. He said that “MAGA gangs” were trying to distance themselves from the shooter by portraying him as unrelated to their political movement, remarks that triggered widespread criticism.

Following the controversy, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr said Kimmel’s comments could warrant action against broadcast licenses. ABC then announced an indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!. President Trump also criticized Kimmel, saying he was “fired for lack of talent and low ratings.” The decision sparked a broader debate over freedom of expression in U.S. broadcasting. The suspension was lifted a week later.

When the program returned, Kimmel received a standing ovation from the studio audience. He said that “threatening to silence comedians a president dislikes is not what America stands for,” adding that stripping someone of their livelihood because they cannot take a joke is not how leaders should act.

The Peabody Awards, widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in U.S. broadcasting, are administered by the National Association of Broadcasters and the University of Georgia’s Board of Trustees. Established in 1939 with support from banker George Foster Peabody, the awards recognize excellence across television, radio and digital media.

This year, 34 winners were selected across seven categories, including entertainment, news, arts and documentary. Peabody Awards executive director Jeffrey Jones said the list included reporting on what he described as the destructive practices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as works resisting efforts to suppress free expression.


Min Kim kimmin@donga.com