Podcast Summary: The Town with Matthew Belloni
Episode: Kimmel’s Return, Disney’s Decision, and Iger’s Legacy
Date: September 23, 2025
Host: Matt Belloni (Puck/The Ringer)
Guest: Lucas Shaw (Bloomberg)
Notable Segment Contributor: Craig Horbeck
Overview
This episode dives deep into the recent turmoil surrounding the temporary suspension and subsequent return of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” after controversial comments sparked backlash from the right wing, action from Disney, and an industry-wide debate about free speech, corporate crisis management, and the legacies of entertainment executives like Bob Iger and Dana Walden. Matt Belloni and Lucas Shaw provide expert analysis on what happened behind the scenes, how public and industry pressure forced Disney’s hand, and what this means for major players—and the culture war at large.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Kimmel Suspension and Disney’s Internal Struggle
[01:45-07:24]
- Disney initially suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” following comments from Kimmel which provoked a surge of conservative outrage and concerns about inflaming a "tense situation."
- The decision was described as “indefinite” and left the creative and business communities reeling. Belloni notes that “all the Hollywood Guilds put out statements. People were canceling their Disney and Hulu.”
- Notably, 400 stars and former Disney CEO Michael Eisner publicly backed Kimmel, intensifying pressure on Bob Iger and Disney.
Quote:
“Even Michael Eisner, the former CEO of Disney, he weighed in, asking, where is the leadership?”
— Matt Belloni [02:42]
--
2. Why Did Disney Reverse Course?
[04:18-08:03]
- Lucas Shaw explains that massive negative publicity and backlash from creative constituencies forced Disney to bring Kimmel back sooner than perhaps anticipated.
- The decision was less about principle and more about damage control after pressure from both political sides and Disney customers.
Quote:
“They saw a potential disaster when Brendan Carr [FCC] went on Benny Johnson’s podcast and threatened them... I think they made a very hasty move to take him down, which really killed them in the short run.”
— Lucas Shaw [05:14]
- Both hosts agree that Disney miscalculated the breadth of outrage, especially after observing not just left-wing but also some conservative figures urging Kimmel’s return.
Quote:
“If you talk to people Wednesday night... a lot of people were like, the show’s done. It’s not coming back. And over the next couple days, that started to change.”
— Lucas Shaw [06:03]
3. The Iger Legacy and Leadership Question
[08:27-11:16]
- Bob Iger’s handling of the incident is dissected; his personal distaste for criticism and legacy concerns accelerated Disney’s pivot.
- Michael Eisner’s rare public criticism served as a significant internal and external catalyst.
- The focus shifted from Dana Walden to Iger in media coverage, putting additional weight on Iger's legacy as a values-driven leader.
Quote:
“Eisner does not talk publicly about the company... He went online and said, ‘where is the leadership?’ And if I’m Iger, that is a dagger.”
— Matt Belloni [09:18]
4. The Continuing Culture War and Fallout
[11:16-14:53]
- Belloni and Shaw anticipate retaliatory statements by Donald Trump and right-wing actors, predicting ongoing threats (such as boycott calls).
- The Disney statement itself was described as carefully and blandly crafted, notably absent of leadership quotes—indicating the stakes and strain surrounding executive involvement.
- Discussion also covers affiliate station responses and the role of FCC’s Brendan Carr, highlighting the complicated relationship between media companies, government, and broadcast partners.
Memorable Exchange:
“I think several [spokespeople] probably died during the process... Their memories will live on as contributing to the wonderful statement that was totally benign and didn’t say anything.”
— Matt Belloni [13:16]
5. What Will Kimmel Say, and Why Did He Return?
[14:49-15:57]
- The hosts speculate Kimmel will show some contrition but not fully apologize, perhaps avoiding targeted attacks on right-wing media in his return monologue.
- Kimmel’s motivation to return is seen as partly loyalty to staff livelihoods and a refusal to be dictated by Trump’s demands.
Quote:
“Like, does he want his show to end because fucking Donald Trump told him to end it?”
— Lucas Shaw [15:44]
6. Does the Fallout Stick to Iger or Walden?
[16:06-18:11]
- Belloni contends the episode will linger as a blemish on Bob Iger’s reputation and potentially impact Dana Walden’s internal standing as a CEO-in-waiting, depending on how the situation evolves.
- Shaw notes that Disney (and others) tried to make issues "go away" under Trump, but this strategy is failing as Trump doesn’t relent, which may push companies towards a more combative stance.
7. The Affiliates, FCC, & What Comes Next
[19:10-21:29]
- Detailed discussion of station group politics (Nexstar, Sinclair) and FCC/Brendan Carr threats. Local affiliate carriage remains uncertain.
- There are financial and legal risks, but Disney signaled willingness to take hits to protect creative relationships and set a precedent against external bullying.
Quote:
“If we don’t stand up to these guys, they’re gonna extort us on every single thing we do.”
— Matt Belloni [12:12]
8. Dana Walden’s Succession Odds
[23:10-26:48]
- The ramifications for Dana Walden’s prospects as future Disney CEO are addressed. Her handling of the controversy may factor into board calculations, especially given her existing visibility with Trump and ABC News.
- Both hosts suggest the long-term impact on her candidacy depends on whether things stabilize or worsen.
Quote:
“If she navigates this and this goes away, maybe it’s a positive... but maybe this turns into a complete disaster, both politically and economically.”
— Matt Belloni [26:02]
9. Ratings Curiosity: Will Kimmel Get a Bump?
[27:16-28:34]
- Anticipation for Kimmel’s return episode ratings: Baseline is about 1.6-1.7 million viewers live+same day; the hosts predict a substantial, but likely unsustained, spike due to curiosity.
10. Closing Perspective on Iger and Disney’s Next Moves
[28:35-29:51]
- Belloni argues Iger's personal integrity and how he’s perceived in Hollywood were decisive in bringing Kimmel back promptly.
- Unresolved: How Trump and his allies will react, and whether Disney can weather further political attacks or legal threats.
Bonus Segment: "Call Sheet" – NFL Ratings Discussion
[29:52-33:52]
- Belloni and Craig Horbeck discuss whether the revised Nielsen ratings system is adequately capturing NFL viewership trends.
- Slight disappointment that gains aren’t as large as projected; speculation on whether splintered distribution platforms impact numbers.
- Both expect NFL ratings to remain healthy, with predictions ranging from a 5% to 8-9% increase by season’s end.
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- “They made a very hasty move to take him down, which really killed them in the short run.” — Lucas Shaw [05:14]
- “Eisner... went online and said, where is the leadership? And if I’m Iger, that is a dagger.” — Matt Belloni [09:18]
- “He genuinely cares about the staff, and if he just took it off the air, he would be putting a couple hundred people out of work right away.” — Lucas Shaw [15:21]
- “If we don’t stand up to these guys, they’re gonna extort us on every single thing we do.” — Matt Belloni [12:12]
- “Dana Walden is already on his [Trump’s] radar because of the Kamala Harris friendship and the ABC news stuff during the debates, which he blamed on her, I think unfairly.” — Matt Belloni [24:13]
Tone & Style
The conversation is informal, witty, and a bit irreverent, balancing sharp industry insight with clear frustration at corporate and political gamesmanship. Belloni is particularly tongue-in-cheek, not pulling punches in criticism toward Disney’s public relations apparatus and its sometimes clumsy crisis navigation.
For Listeners Who Missed the Episode
This podcast is a must-listen for industry followers and anyone interested in Hollywood’s intersection with media, politics, and culture. It captures the intricacies of high-stakes executive decisions, the ripple effects of the culture wars on major companies, and the personalities behind public statements. The expert commentary offers both breaking news context and long-range perspective, leaving listeners anticipating the next move in a drama that is far from over.