Melrose Halloween Controversy Makes 'Kimmel'

MELROSE, MA — A popular TV host leveraged what is becoming an increasingly painful local story for some late-night laughs.

Jimmy Kimmel opened Wednesday night's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' by taking shots at Melrose's Halloween controversy, sparked by Superintendent Julie Kukenberger's decision to no longer center fall celebrations around Halloween.

"Sounds to me like maybe Julie Kukenberger couldn't think of a fun costume so she ruined it for everybody," Kimmel riffed.

"Maybe I'm being obtuse but who's being marginalized by a Halloween party? Goblin-Americans?" he said to more laughs.

The story has stoked disbelief from those who see the district's decision as the latest affront in cancel culture. Those who believe the move is a necessary step toward inclusivity have hit back, and rhetoric has intensified from there. What started as a local issue was suddenly on Fox News and The New York Post, bringing in people with a loose grip of the nuances of the issue.

Criticism of Kukenberger has descended into highly personal attacks from those in and — since the story became national — out of Melrose.

"All I know for sure is there are about to be a lot of eggs thrown at the Kukenberger house," Kimmel cracked.

Some people have been concerned that those offended by the Halloween decision could try to do something like take Kimmel up on his joke — or worse — especially after a website this week published Facebook photos of Kukenberger and some personal information about her family.

• Related: Melrose Community Rallies Around Embattled Superintendent

Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi and Instagram at Melrose Happening. Subscribe to Melrose Patch for free local news and alerts and like us on Facebook.