Comedian Jimmy Kimmel had his Wednesday show pulled by ABC because he made fun of Detroit, whose Pistons are playing the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA finals.
Kimmel was talking to ABC sportscaster Mike Tirico during halftime of Tuesday’s game when he said, “They’re going to burn the city of Detroit down if the Pistons win, and it’s not worth it.”
Grace Gilchrist, general manager of Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ, said the taped show featured more disparaging remarks about the city.
So ABC pulled the program from all its affiliates. Kimmel’s apology was funnier than his initial “offense,” I thought.
“What I said about Pistons fans during halftime was a joke, nothing more. If I offended anyone, I’m sorry,” he said. “Clearly, over the past 10 years, we in L.A. have taken a commanding lead in post-game riots. If the Lakers win, I plan to overturn my own car.”
Come now: For how long has David Letterman been disparaging New York?
