Jenna Bush Hager on Jimmy Kimmel Drama: Public Figures Taking Jokes Is ‘Part of the Job’
Having been in the public eye for decades, Jenna Bush Hager has a unique perspective on Jimmy Kimmel‘s ABC suspension drama.
On the Wednesday, September 24, episode of Today With Jenna & Friends, Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones discussed Kimmel’s monologue from the previous night’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which marked his first episode back since being suspended by Disney following backlash towards comments he made about the killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“You understand it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. I don’t think there’s anything funny about it,” Kimmel said on Tuesday, September 23. “I posted a message on Instagram on the day he was killed asking compassion for his family, and I meant it. I still do. Nor did I mean to blame any specific group for the actions of a specific individual. That was actually the opposite of the point I was trying to make. For those who think I did point a finger, I get why you’re upset. If the situation were reversed, there’s a good chance I would’ve felt the same way.”
Noting that Kimmel’s monologue was “beautifully done,” Bush Hager said she longs for a country “where people that have different opinions sit at the same table and have conversations.”
Bush Hager went on to address how many fans viewed Kimmel’s ABC suspension as an attack on free speech by the FCC and President Donald Trump‘s administration. “When [Kimmel] said, ‘A show like this that can make jokes at people in power,’ that’s part of what our country is founded on,” she stated before using her own family as an example.
“Dana Carvey played my grandpa [former president George H.W. Bush] on Saturday Night Live,” Bush Hager shared. “I remember reading stuff about him where I was like, ‘Oh gosh,’ like as a little kid, like, ‘That hurts and that’s not the man that I know,’ and that’s part of the job. But anyway, Dana Carvey played my grandpa, and after he lost, which — my grandfather was devastated, he felt like he didn’t finish the job. He felt like he let down his staff. … He had Dana come to the White House to make fun of him after he lost so that he could cheer up his staff who was disappointed upon the results.”
She continued, “We laughed hysterically at some of it. And I think that’s part of it, too, is that you can’t take yourself so seriously.”
Bush Hager said she feels “so lucky to work at a show where people that have different opinions and believe different things, watch, come together,” as well as recalled that she and her former cohost, Hoda Kotb, would “joke” that their job was not as objectively important compared to other public figures.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
However, Bush Hager said she and her Today colleagues still have a profound impact on others through the show. “We keep people company,” she explained. “We try to make people feel better. We try to let people take off the heavy backpack and have some laughs and some relief, and that’s a privilege.”
While Jimmy Kimmel Live! is officially back on air for many, the broadcasting companies Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar will continue to preempt the series on several local ABC affiliates across the country.
Today With Jenna & Friends, Weekdays, 10 a.m. ET, NBC
Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Weeknights, 11:35 p.m. ET, ABC
Conversation14 Comments
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Well spoken Bush Hager. Especially in light of what former President Bush was responsible for on 9/11 and the jokes that followed that tragedy.
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Anyone who thinks its okay to joke about an assassination needs to be on their knees praying for a heart. Do you really think Bush Hager that everyone wants to hear your slanted view. Kimmel needs to go. Because the world is tired of shows that speak hate. Love of God is the only answer.
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Kimmel proves that EVIL is real. Take him off the air
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R
Funny. I don't recall any Obama jokes.
Jenna's opinion is obviously slanted since her family detests President Trump and she works for the Uber Left NBC.
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Yes yes. There should be NO room for anything so awful on TV. If you cannot say something kind in horrible situations then keep your mouth shut!!! Then you will not have to worry about being misunderstood later if that is what you decide to claim.
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When you work for a company, you don’t have free speech. You dont have free speech on your show. You cant make jokes, you would be fired! Your grandpa didn’t get shot and killed. It would’ve been great for someone to make fun of Charlie on Saturday night live,than kill Charlie!
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What happened to the Dixie Chicks then when they made off humor jokes 🤔
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Exactly. Time for people to be held responsible.
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O
Jokes are one thing but hate and complete disrespect for a President that JK has repeatedly done is pure Evil not funny
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I agree. Let's show love for all. Even if you don't agree with the politics.
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Kimell needs to be off tv all together he obviously doesn't have any ideal on politics presidents or what really goes on in the world. He just jumps on the bandwagon . I feel no pity for him.
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You have the option of changing the channel, watching another recorded show, or simply using the "off" button if you don't want to watch him, end of story!
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Kimmel is helping to destroy America. Changing channels does protect the USA from his evil. Take him off the television
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Wow you may want to spell check this cowboy
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