In a surprising twist at the Disney upfronts, late-night legend Jimmy Kimmel wrapped up his monologue with a heartfelt message aimed at advertisers, urging them to back the esteemed news program '60 Minutes.' "I know it’s not part of our multi-platform, but support '60 Minutes.' They deserve it. You hold the power—because you hold the money. Support journalism. It’s crucial, and it won’t thrive without your backing," Kimmel passionately declared.

While upfronts generally focus on showcasing each media giant's offerings and aggressively courting ad dollars, Kimmel's request for advertisers to rally behind '60 Minutes' felt like a revolutionary moment, breaking the norm of competitive banter that typically characterizes these shows. This heartfelt appeal was a scripted highlight, confirming its purpose!

The context of Kimmel's plea takes on added significance as '60 Minutes' is embroiled in a controversial legal battle with former President Donald Trump, who filed a staggering $20 billion lawsuit over an alleged deceptive edit of an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. '60 Minutes' has firmly defended its practices, submitting unedited transcripts to the FCC as they navigate these rocky waters amid corporate mergers.

The rest of Kimmel’s presentation carried his signature comedic flair, starting with a quirky bit about selling naming rights for his grandchild. He didn't shy away from poking fun at industry rivals, quipping about NBC turning 100 years old next year—just old enough to finally watch CBS.

He further bragged about Disney’s streaming empire, with 164 million monthly users across platforms like Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, boasting, "We finally beat those Netflix folks at something!" Kimmel also took jabs at CBS's hit comedy 'Ghosts,' suggesting most viewers were heading toward their final bow.

With a mix of witty commentary and satirical critique, Kimmel didn’t hesitate to express frustrations over ABC’s limited offerings—a single new show that’s merely a spinoff. He questioned, "If you went to a restaurant and the waiter said, ‘Our special tonight is last year’s fish,’ would you order it? Our fish is not fresh!" He ended on a humorous note, inviting viewers to enjoy Season 2 of 'The Golden Bachelor,' highlighting that ABC remains the only network with such unique programming.