Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode Title: Buck Brief – Jimmy Kimmel Getting Booted is Hilarious
Air Date: September 19, 2025
Host: Buck Sexton
Producer: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

In this “Buck Brief” segment, Buck Sexton offers a sharp, satirical take on the reported suspension or possible cancellation of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. Sexton explores the intersection of media bias, ratings failures, and debates about free speech, tying Kimmel’s ouster to broader issues of cancel culture and hypocrisy in left-leaning media circles. The episode is infused with Buck’s characteristic humor, candid critiques, and a barrage of jabs at progressive “liberal elites.”

Key Discussion Points

1. Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension: “Funnier than his Monologues”

Timestamp: 03:15–06:00

• Buck gleefully reacts to the news that Jimmy Kimmel has been taken off the air—possibly canceled or indefinitely suspended—by his network.
• He frames this as “the funniest thing that’s happened to or with Jimmy Kimmel in a long time,” adding that it’s funnier than any of Kimmel’s skits or monologues.
• Quote:

  “Oh my gosh. The libs are in a panic over free speech because Jimmy Kimmel, the least talented, least funny late night host on the scene, has been pulled off the air indefinitely. Maybe canceled, maybe long term suspension. Either way, it's the funniest thing that's happened to or with Jimmy Kimmel in a long time.”
  — Buck Sexton (03:15)

• Sexton notes Kimmel’s history of celebrating when conservatives lost platforms, particularly referencing Tucker Carlson’s removal from Fox News.

2. Late-Night Ratings & the “Liberal Elite” Problem

Timestamp: 06:00–08:30

• Buck highlights Kimmel’s poor ratings, claiming he trailed behind competitors and calling his million viewers “preposterous” for a network late-night show.
• He reminisces about the heyday of late night with Jay Leno’s massive ratings, contrasting them with Kimmel’s performance.
• Quote:

  “He had like a million viewers. Which for that kind of a show on a network is, is preposterous... So a million for Jimmy Kimmel. The ratings are trash.”
  — Buck Sexton (06:35)

• He slams Kimmel’s comedic skill, contending that even a writing team of 10–20 couldn’t make him funny.
• Points out that Kimmel's "best work" was The Man Show, which Buck characterizes as "locker room comedy."

3. Free Speech, the First Amendment, and Double Standards

Timestamp: 08:30–13:00

• Buck takes aim at Democrats’ invocation of the First Amendment, arguing that calls for free speech protections are hypocritical when applied selectively.
• He claims Democrats only defend the First Amendment when it serves their interests, especially for personalities like Kimmel.
• Cites the Supreme Court's June 2024 decision regarding government pressure on social media platforms during COVID—arguing it set a precedent for private companies being pressured by political actors, with little recourse.
• Quote:

  “As if Democrats care about the First Amendment at all. I'm sorry, we've seen this play out too many times. We're very aware of the game that they play, which is when it's someone they like, the First Amendment matters...”
  — Buck Sexton (07:55)

• Buck points to this precedent as a reason Trump and others should feel free to publicly criticize media figures and companies without concern for free speech “whining” from the left.
• Quote:

  “If they're gonna let the Biden White House get away with having individual Americans singled out by the White House for censorship pressure... If those are the rules, this is the game we're playing. Okay, fine.”
  — Buck Sexton (12:55)

4. Media, Ratings, and Corporate Collusion

Timestamp: 08:00–10:30

• Buck alleges that late-night shows are artificially propped up by insider advertising and corporate elites, whom he claims are predominantly Democrats.
• He draws a distinction between talented, market-driven hosts like Jon Stewart (even while labeling him a propagandist) and “overpaid jerks” like Kimmel who lack a real audience.
• Quote:

  “...with Jimmy Kimmel is the market working as it should.”
  — Buck Sexton (10:13)

5. Inconsistencies in Political Violence Reporting

Timestamp: 15:16–17:51

• Buck critiques a recent Cato Institute report tallying murders by political ideology (since 1975), claiming it unfairly paints right-wingers as the primary source of political violence.
• He points out that the report excludes 9/11, which he considers dishonest and intentionally misleading.
• Illustrates how media and think tanks sometimes manipulate data to fit political narratives, recalling his experience at CNN being asked to explain right-wing violence statistics while ignoring Islamist terror acts.
• Quote:

  “They just exclude [9/11]... How do you think cutting that out is a valid way to get a sense of the threat?... It's nuts. It's really nuts. They're liars. That's not a surprise. But I'm here to hold them to account.”
  — Buck Sexton (17:20)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Kimmel’s Persona:

  “He’s not funny. He’s a jerk. He’s sub-mediocrity, not talented.” — Buck Sexton (03:33)

• On Media Corporate Structure:

  “There’s all kind of a lot of insider deals that go on here...they’re all just keeping that cash flowing through each other. And they're Democrats.” — Buck Sexton (08:44)

• On Ratings:

  “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno...there were episodes that were 12 to 15 million viewers. It was crazy viewers... So a million for Jimmy Kimmel. The ratings are trash.” — Buck Sexton (06:35)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [03:15] – Buck’s reaction to Kimmel’s suspension and its irony
• [06:00] – Discussion of late-night ratings and host talent
• [07:55] – Media bias, First Amendment hypocrisy, and corporate insiderism
• [11:30] – Supreme Court’s COVID free speech decision and broader implications
• [15:16] – Critique of Cato Institute report and media bias in reporting political violence
• [17:20] – Conclusion and Buck’s commitment to calling out “liars” in media narratives

Tone and Style

Buck maintains his signature sardonic, combative voice throughout, using humor, mockery, and pointed rhetorical questions to underscore his arguments. The monologue is peppered with asides, media nostalgia, and barbed critiques, making it accessible and engaging, especially for listeners skeptical of mainstream media and left-leaning cultural figures.

This summary captures the essence and arguments of Buck Sexton's reaction to Jimmy Kimmel's reported ouster, highlighting the broader cultural and political critiques central to the episode.