Detroit Joke Cost Jimmy Kimmel Show Airtime in 2004

A Historic Moment in TV and Politics

ABC’s sudden decision on September 17 to take “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” off the air indefinitely has created a significant moment in the history of television and politics. However, this is not the first time that Jimmy Kimmel has faced repercussions for his words. In fact, more than 20 years ago, a Detroit TV station took similar action, though the circumstances were far less severe and ultimately led to a positive resolution.

The 2004 Incident

In 2004, WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) chose not to broadcast an episode of Kimmel’s late-night show after he made a joke about the ongoing NBA finals between the Detroit Pistons and the Los Angeles Lakers. During halftime of Game 2 of the championship, which the Lakers eventually won 99-91 in overtime, Kimmel quipped in a promotional spot: “I’m glad the Lakers are winning because besides the fact that I’m a Lakers fan, I realize they’re gonna burn the city of Detroit down if the Pistons win, and it’s not worth it.”

At the time, the Free Press noted that Kimmel was referencing the sporadic violence that occurred in 1984 after the Detroit Tigers won the World Series. His comment, however, caused significant backlash among Pistons fans and residents of Detroit. Former WXYZ general manager Grace Gilchrist recalled the incident, stating, “It really offended Detroiters. Here we are at a very exciting time and (he was) taking a cheap shot like that."

Kimmel's Apology and Consequences

The following day, Kimmel issued an apology, explaining that he had only been making a joke. He referred to the mayhem that occurred after the Lakers won the NBA finals in 2000, adding, “If I offended anyone, I am sorry. Clearly, over the past 10 years, we in L.A. have taken a commanding lead in postgame riots. If the Lakers win, I hope to overturn my own car.”

On the night of the apology, Gilchrist was attending a party with ABC executives in California when she learned that Kimmel had made additional anti-Detroit remarks during a taping for the show set to air the next day. She decided to pull that episode and instead aired “The Wayne Brady Show” on Channel 7. ABC followed her lead and ran a Kimmel rerun nationally.

Afterward, Kimmel issued a more serious apology, stating, “When you’re 2,000 miles away from a city you’ve never lived in, it’s hard to understand the sadness people feel from something that happened in their town — even if it happened many years ago. It was never my intention to cause anyone pain.” He concluded, “I was trying to make a joke and I’m sorry it resulted in anything other than laughter.”

Rebuilding Relationships

Despite the controversy, Kimmel later made efforts to mend his relationship with Detroit. The Pistons went on to win the NBA championship in 2004, four games to one over the Lakers. Two years later, in 2006, Kimmel brought his show and staff to Detroit for a week of broadcasts from the downtown Gem Theatre, which were tied to the Super Bowl taking place that year in the Motor City.

During his visit, Kimmel expressed gratitude and reiterated his regret over the 2004 incident. “People from Detroit … think I meant something by that, which I really didn’t mean anything by,” he told the Free Press. “I was just saying something stupid on television.”

A Positive Outcome

Reflecting on the incident today, Gilchrist stated, “The truth is, he was wonderful to the station from then on.” This event serves as a reminder of how public figures can face consequences for their words, but also how they can work to rebuild trust and relationships when they take responsibility for their actions.