Jimmy Kimmel is ripping the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for using “mob tactics” as he returned to the airwaves following his suspension, tapping Robert De Niro to deliver a gangster-like impersonation of the agency’s chairman.
The “Goodfellas” actor helped mark Kimmel’s first show back on ABC on Tuesday by appearing in a sketch where he played the FCC’s chair under Trump.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” had been pulled last week after its host accused conservatives of trying to score “political points” over the assassination of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr had sharply criticized Kimmel over the Kirk remarks, suggesting he should be punished by ABC or its affiliates.
“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr said about Kimmel’s long-running late-night show.
“You tell Whoopi [Goldberg] over there she better show a little respect or the only view she’s getting is from under George Washington — the bridge, not the guy,” De Niro, speaking in a heavy New York accent, said on the phone as he feigned surprise at Kimmel sneaking up on him during the late-night cameo.
“I am the new chairman of the FCC,” De Niro, a frequent critic of President Trump, said.
“Did I just hear you threatening Whoopi Goldberg?” Kimmel asked.
“No, I would never threaten Ms. Goldstein,” De Niro cracked. “I was just teaching her a lesson about consequences.”
“It seems like the FCC is using mob tactics to suppress free speech,” Kimmel said.
“What the f— did you just say to me?” De Niro responded.
After Kimmel said De Niro could get the show fined by the FCC for cursing on-air, the 82-year-old performer replied, “I am the f—ing FCC. I can say whatever the f— I want.”
“It sounds a little like threats and intimidation to me, Chairman,” Kimmel told De Niro.
“It’s just me, Jimmy, the chairman of the FCC, gently suggesting that you gently shut the f— up,” De Niro said, before telling the late-night host that free speech was “no longer free,” and he would be fined depending on what he said.
“You want to say something nice about the president and his beautiful, thick, yellow hair and how he can do his makeup better than any broad — that’s free. But if you want to do a joke like, ‘He’s so fat he needs two seats on the [Jeffrey] Epstein jet, that’s gonna cost you,” De Niro said.
“Just make sure you pick the right words,” he added.
