Statement on behalf of ABC Entertainment and Jimmy Kimmel Live!

On behalf of everyone at Jimmy Kimmel Live and ABC, please accept our heartfelt, sincere apology for the airing of the “Kids Table” segment of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on October 16, 2013.

The simple fact is, the segment should never have been broadcast.  Systems we have in place for these types of things did not function properly, and steps have been made to try and prevent this kind of egregious mistake from occurring in the future.

We have strengthened our review process and several new safeguards have been put in place to both our Broadcast Standards & Practices and Entertainment Programming areas to ensure that segments like this are immediately brought to the attention of appropriate senior executives who can address them appropriately.

We have also done everything in our power to ensure that the segment receives no further exposure.  We issued a written apology, the offending skit has been edited out of any future broadcast of that episode; we have taken down the clip from all of our online platforms; and the show has decided to forego any future segments of “Kids Table.”

In addition, Jimmy Kimmel has apologized on-air, in writing, and has personally met with concerned citizens to hear their viewpoints and to apologize, again, in person.

Please know that we take our responsibility to our viewers extremely seriously, and are confident that the steps we’ve taken will prevent this type of issue from happening again.

It was never my intention to upset anyone.  The offensive comment, which was made by a six year old child during the non-scripted segment, never should have aired.  No one on the team at Jimmy Kimmel Live or at ABC would ever purposely broadcast anything to upset the Chinese community, the Asian community, anyone of Chinese descent or any community at large.  Please know that we have edited out that segment from our online and broadcast platforms moving forward. 

Yesterday, I met in-person with and apologized directly to many distressed individuals from the Chinese-American community.  Those conversations were very productive and, as a result, we have also canceled any further "Kids Table" segments from our show.  

I hope the Chinese and Chinese American communities will accept my deepest, most sincere apology.  

 Jimmy Kimmel

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