Late night hosts Conan O'Brien and Jon Stewart opened their segments by paying tribute to the victims of Charlie Hebdo in Paris.
At least 12 staffers at the headquarters of the French satirical weekly were killed on Wednesday in Paris during an attack by gunmen wearing hoods who also shouted Islamic phrases.
"In this country, we take it for granted it's our right to poke fun at the untouchable or the sacred, but today's tragedy in Paris reminds us, very viscerally, that it's a right some people are forced to die for," said O'Brien during this evening's broadcast of 'Conan' on TBS.
Stewart on 'The Daily Show' at Comedy Central also paid his tribute to the staff of the weekly satirical newspaper while denouncing the acts.
"Our hearts are with the staff of Charlie Hebdo and their families tonight. We know very few people who go into comedy as an act of courage.
"Our goal tonight is not to make sense of this, because there is no sense to be made of it. Our goal is to keep going."
The Directors Guild of America also slammed the attackers while paying tribute to the murdered staff at the magazine office.
"The Directors Guild of America stands in solidarity with the families of the victims, the people of France and citizens around the world who will not be cowed by extremists seeking to undermine our inalienable right to the free and open expression of ideas," the guild said.
"This despicable act will not silence the millions of journalists, artists and filmmakers who will continue to speak their mind, share their ideas and promote freedom of speech.
