ABC Delayed Rosie O'Donnell's Trump Skit as Disney Prepared Aug. 18 FCC Lawsuit
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 22
ABC Delayed Rosie O'Donnell's Trump Skit as Disney Prepared Aug. 18 FCC Lawsuit
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 22
Summary
Rosie O'Donnell said ABC blocked an anti-Trump monologue bit minutes before her Aug. 17 "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" taping, forcing her to rewrite the ending on short notice.
Disney filed suit against the FCC on Aug. 18, and O'Donnell said she later concluded the network wanted the skit held back because that legal challenge was imminent.
The shelved segment was "Donnie Boy," her spoof of "Danny Boy," prepared during a one-week guest-hosting run that drew strong ratings and reviews last month.
The dispute sits inside a broader clash between ABC and the FCC, which has been conducting an unusual early review of the broadcaster's local station licenses.