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Willa Hall's avatar

Susie - I LOVED your recording here. So many excellent points about all the players - and hilarious - "how old is he??..." So fucking true. Has kept me chuckling despite my despair over what the fuck is happening in this country. That's a real gift - thank you!!!

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Susie Bright's avatar

I can hear your laughter all the way here! So happy.

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Susie Bright's avatar

Kimmel’s agent is James “Baby Doll” Dixon, who runs a small boutique of clients within William Morris agency (WME). He represents Kimmel, Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart, so obviously he’s been in the thick of it.

The kind of militancy you’ve been seeing from Stephen and Jon the last couple nights is because they are standing in solidarity not just as fellow comics, but in support of their agent.

Those three show hosts/comedians are Baby Doll’s main clients — no one else even comes close. Now, Dixon relies on WME’s *vast* legal team for most matters, and I’m sure they’re involved in this.

BUT! Please understand that WME is *also* going to think about how this all shakes out for THEM, on an international scale. The 3 Musketeers are very important to them, but they are a small piece of the pie, overall. Interesting, eh? Not crumbs, but a PIECE.

WME *might* go to bat for Dixon and his late night celebrity clients. Not a sure thing. Notice they aren’t saying SHIT so far. Their calculations are going far and deep into the night.

This is why, since ABC’s lawyers are actively against their employee Kimmel, and WME’s lawyers are going to “hedge” with their clients if need be, Kimmel needs completely un conflicted representation.

Where do you find that legal angel? This is the part that may shock you.

If you’ve ever been unfairly harmed in a workplace environmental, if you don’t have a union, you have probably sought out an “employment attorney” — a specialist. They fight unfair firings or discipline, or, they also represent employers. Either side, this is their bailiwick.

What the aggrieved employee may find, as they starting dialing numbers, is that if you work for a VERY LARGE corporation, it can be impossible to find an attorney who does not have a conflict of interest — because...

… corporations have made a strategy of hiring EVERY SINGLE LAW FIRM in the country to do some little thing for them… throw them some money, blah blah on retainer… not because they care about the individual firm, or have a pressing matter to deal with.

The zillionaire corporations retain “everyone” because they don’t want ANYONE else to be able to litigate against them. It’s a cheap deal for them to protect themselves.

It’s like a rich guy who’s getting a divorce and hires every other decent divorce attorney in town so his wife can’t get representation.

Thus, the freaked out employee who wishes to sue, or to fight back, “roams the earth” trying to find a firm who doesn’t have a conflict of interest with their employer. It can seem absolutely hopeless.

The question is, did ABC and Disney go this far? Did they follow the Amazon/Google/Apple/Facebook/etc playbook? Did they tie up every legal eagle who might otherwise love to represent Kimmel?

I don’t know! Stay tuned.

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Lisa Udelson's avatar

These events do matter, create community and indeed induce some fun!

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Susie Bright's avatar

Lisa, thanks so much for the awesome photos. I felt like I was there!

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Lisa Udelson's avatar

Anytime! Happy to share.

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Susie Bright's avatar

Some of you have asked, “Well, hopefully he’s conferring with his lawyers.” And that makes me smile, because ABC’s lawyers ARE Kimmel’s legal team, in terms of his contract. He is owned by them. I know all of you who’ve worked for a major corp know this drill. And omg, they are condescending beyond your wildest dreams. Young, straight from Wharton to being charge of your life.

Does JK have personal counsel? Yeah, but this isn’t their world. He is likely talking to his agent’s legal team, about how to break or renegotiate his contract if it comes to that. And of course, his agencies legal team are watching their flanks because they don’t want their other clients in trouble if Jimmy becomes an albatross.

Very lonely, eh? that is why his FANS and his individual leadership, his own ability to stand up, are more vital to him than he may realize at this moment. The agency and ABC are not putting him nor his fans first.

The most HELPFUL thing Variety, the Hollywood Reporter, or LA Times could do right NOW is leak Kimmel’s contract with ABC. The black and white. That would answer SO many questions and also let you see how the cheese is made, who is taking a risk and who is being a bitch. Shit, I could analyze it in five minutes.

Alas, that has not happened. So here we are, making guesses…

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Lisa Udelson's avatar

It was a real combo. Young and old, all colors and demographics from what I could tell. My experience has been mostly grey hair at protests and this felt different. Only noticed one actor, a cute queer from Orange is the New Black. And the Spiderman and Freddy Kreuger from the Chinese theatre across the street, which was weird and fun. Lots of angry energy, chanting, and Kimmel caps and t shirts.

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Susie Bright's avatar

Sounds like my kinda party!

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Susie Bright's avatar

Hey dear fellow outragers: Much to my annoyance, I have to paywall my Comments, because otherwise I get *swarmed* by trolls.

I can’t keep up with blocking them all day, and it’s so depressing and unnerving — their aim, naturally.

So! If you’re a regular reader and can’t afford to subscribe to my newsletter, email me for a free subscription: <office@susiebright.com>. No questions asked. Then you can come blab away here, too. I miss you! I hate talking on Facebook, they are constantly banning me for saying “lesbian” and “abortion” and “fuck this.”

OR, here’s an idea: I have a “pay-what-you-want” option, where you can just pay me one amount, one time, and that’s it. I’ll sign you up for a newsletter, just email me after you put the penny in the can: https://buy.stripe.com/28o8zm7tt5nffRK9AB

Meanwhile, thank you to my regular paying subscribers, I think you’re aware you’re keeping me afloat. Onward!

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Barbara Tannenbaum's avatar

One more thought: current events bring to mind a fun, feisty discussion with fellow writers back in the good ole days of 2009 or so. Obama era, in other words. Can’t remember what prompted our fierce promises to resist, but we all vowed to keep going, keep writing, going the samizdat route, if need be. I think now, in an era of such digital saturation, does anyone even know how to use those techniques? It’s like any underground culture. The networks, the secret house parties, etc, will exist. But in such a catch-as-catch-can approach, meaningful people will be left out.

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Susie Bright's avatar

That’s what drives me nuts.

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Barbara Tannenbaum's avatar

Right there with you. Been thinking about how much I learned in my 20s from messages scribbled on index cards posted on bulletin boards in places like the local food co-op; mimeographed flyers stapled on telephone polls; and lectures in parks and community centers on absolutely wild topics that you sorta heard about at the last minute. Or saw “publicized” on a bulletin board or flyer. At the same time, I was always suspicious that fascinating fabulous people were gathering privately— and I wouldn’t find out until years later that it was all taking place a block or two away from me.

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Reading Off Into The Sunset's avatar

Now you’re on it. Nice job!

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Barbara Tannenbaum's avatar

Hey, Susie—that was a great (and bracing) analysis. I especially liked your contrast of how Kimmel is meeting this moment versus how George Carlin, Richard Pryor, let’s even add Lenny Bruce would have. What a bulls eye…those comedic, free-speech Roman Candles would have been unable to stay silent. They would have known the stakes. And they would have had brilliant lacerating comments. And they would have no doubt indulged in massive self-harm to cope with the stress. As the weird digital bot army applies that stress upon you, I know you share in their level of brilliance, first-hand experience of fighting back, but luckily, not the corresponding self-harm. You are an extraordinary voice. Keeping your work in my thoughts as the shit keeps getting worse.

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Susie Bright's avatar

Yeah, someone was asking me about Johnny Carson, too, a more apt comparison in some ways, yet so impossible to discern. During Carson’s reign, broadcast TV was king, and the FCC its greatest defender. Nixon et al couldn’t touch it.

And, too, Johnny cultivated a rep for staying out of politics, keeping it “clean” staying wryly out of the fray. You could see him almost cracking up when harder comics came on and dared him to laugh at their astute observations. Has everyone seen Tommy Smother fucking KILL on The Tonight Show? God, how I love that man: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyFb45x_zgA. It’s real quick, the punchline happens around 5:00. Bush joke.

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Lisa Udelson's avatar

“Stand up and lead or you’re irrelevant.” Yes. Thank you.

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Susie Bright's avatar

I don’t know why this lesson isn’t Captain Obvious! Xoxo

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Lisa Udelson's avatar

Weird that it took Jimmy Kimmel to get here. At least I hope we're here, standing up. I do watch - I did watch?! - because he fucking hates Trump and I could go to bed with some comic relief. Jon Stewart was helpful last night. Went to a protest at ABC. Standing up felt better than sitting at home. Lots of people and horn honking - and no one got shot.

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Susie Bright's avatar

What was the vibe at the protest? What kind of people showed up? Writers, actors, …? Like, compared to the strike, what kind of folks?

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Diane Bailiff's avatar

Love you Susie Bright.

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Susie Bright's avatar

I love you, too, MOM. Means so much to have you listening to all this.

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Carla Hagen's avatar

I finally feel like I’m not so alone in this dystopian time. Thank you. I just subscribed. And thanks for evoking the great George Carlin.

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Susie Bright's avatar

I’ve been relistening to his albums all day!

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Cindra Lee Henry's avatar

Yes, “the great George Carlin” was someone who would have had a field day with our current climate. Bless that man for the unflinching mirror he held up to the world as he called out the insanities..

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Susie Bright's avatar

Hear hear

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Terrence Goggin's avatar

Great analysis. You would have been a great intelligence officer. I suspect Kimmel will realize his audience is way more important than his current, cowardly employer, and he should break his contract “for cause” because his employer collapsed and caved to illegal and unconstitutional intimidation. He can SUE both ABC AND FCC CHAIRMAN for at least several billion dollars; if he got to a jury in New York or California he’d win . AND I’M VERY FUCKING SEROUS. I’m sure a good litigation firm would take it on a contingency except for costs, maybe include the union and union members in a class action . It’s a fantastic case. But one of “First Impression” because no other President ever dared to do this before. Otherwise you are right and Kimmel is gone, baby gone. Hope he enjoys being a Palm Springs golf pro. It’s that or sue and get a billion.

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Susie Bright's avatar

I love that! “Intelligence Officer” — my new career. Really, that has been my role, in many places, whether it was Audible, or my political past. You have to understand what’s real and synthesize it all.

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Terrence Goggin's avatar

Based in CNN reporting , the President of the Writers Union indicated that “Kimmel’s show’s suspension WILL NOT STAND.” Kimmel had prepared a “hot” monologue for Wednesday night and that was the reason for the suspension. He also was quoted as saying he “hatesTrump”, and is considering leaving ABC when his contract is up. Methinks this is getting interesting

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Susie Bright's avatar

I know the Writers Union would love it if he’d get in front of it. But as I said, the unions can’t “save” anybody if they dont’ want saving.

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Terrence Goggin's avatar

I believe the President of the Writers Union was speaking about the staff. They want to be saved, even if their boss may not be able to lead the way. She seemed very cool, determined and clear. The Union would take action regardless of Kimmel, to restrict the availability of talent and content on behalf of the employees they represent. As she said: “THIS WILL NOT STAND.” Very well Ma’am “whats ya going to do?” Let’s see. But I like her attitude. Sort of like your attitude!

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Susie Bright's avatar

Exactly. Goddammit, he should be joining her. She’s gonna do what she has to do, but it really sucks when your “spokesman” is in the rear.

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Terrence Goggin's avatar

My guess is that he suffers grave financial penalties if he speaks out before his contract expires in May 2026. On the other hand he could become a hero and carry his audience to another platform, if he spoke out. But he’s not the entrepreneurial type, having been an employee of Disney for 20 years. No network will touch him.

BUT I heard Netflix might be interested. And why not? If Megan Markel and Prince Harry can snag a $100 million contract I’d think Jimmy could do as well or better. The time to break the contract is now, to keep his audience warm and cuddly. If Netflix feels the legal risks are workable or Netflix could buy out Kimmel’s Disney contest and put him to work immediately with no legal problems. It would be great to see his show during regular hours. Late Night is passé . 24 hour streaming is the future. He’s going to make a lot of money off of this debacle. A cabin door closed and the castle gate opened. Prince Harry is waiting with open arms.

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