Jimmy Kimmel returns to ABC with emotional monologue in first show after suspension

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Jimmy Kimmel has returned to his show and, similar to other late-night hosts, he’s openly addressing ABC’s recent decision to temporarily remove him from the air.

It was great to see Jimmy Kimmel back on his show last Tuesday. As you probably heard, ABC had to temporarily suspend production after some ABC affiliates – Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcasting – decided not to air the episodes. Apparently, this was all because of some comments Jimmy made regarding the suspect in the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. They’ve both said they’re continuing to keep ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ off the air for now, which is a real shame.

Jimmy Kimmel received a warm welcome from the audience, who gave him a standing ovation and chanted his name. He began his show with a humorous question: “It’s been a strange couple of days for everyone, but who’s had it stranger – me, or the head of Tylenol?”

The host expressed gratitude for the support he’d received, particularly noting the kindness from people who hold different views. He specifically mentioned positive comments from Ted Cruz, as well as support from Ben Shapiro, Candace Owens, and Senator Mitch McConnell.

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He stated that the government shouldn’t dictate what people say on television, and that it’s important to resist that kind of control. He also admitted he didn’t think his speech would change many opinions, saying people would likely feel the same way about him afterward, regardless of what he said.

More than anything, Kimmel wanted to make it clear he never meant to disrespect Kirk’s memory, becoming emotional as he said so. He emphasized he would never trivialize the loss of a young life.

I realize my comments about the person suspected of attacking Charlie Kirk came across as poorly timed or confusing to some, and I understand why people were upset if they felt I was blaming anyone. I would probably feel the same way if the roles were reversed. I have many loved ones who hold different political views than I do, and I want to be clear that I don’t believe the shooter represents any group or ideology. They were a troubled individual who resorted to violence, and that’s never the answer.

California

Over a hundred people, including both residents and tourists, gathered on Hollywood Boulevard near the El Capitan Theatre – the home of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ – to demonstrate against what they believe is the Trump administration’s responsibility for the show being put on hold indefinitely.

Kimmel admitted he used to take his freedom of speech for granted, but realized its value when his friend Stephen Colbert faced pressure that almost got his show cancelled, and when attempts were made to pressure local stations into cancelling his own program.

“That’s not legal,” he continued. “That’s not American. That is un-American.”

The host acknowledged that viewers were curious about the terms of his return, explaining that he had one condition: he needed to read a statement from Disney. He then shared instructions on how to restart Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions, noting that many had canceled them to protest a recent decision made by ABC.

Jimmy Kimmel didn’t offer a direct apology for his remarks, but Sinclair Broadcast Group stated they wouldn’t air his show again unless he did.

Kimmel also expressed sympathy for President Trump, noting that Trump’s attempts to get his show cancelled actually ended up with millions of people tuning in. Kimmel joked that Trump might now release the Epstein files as a way to divert attention.

Following his monologue, Jimmy Kimmel explained that the show contacted Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, and Carr had agreed to appear. The show then cut to a video of Robert De Niro, who appeared to be acting like a character from his movie “Goodfellas.”

Robert De Niro, the newly appointed chairman of the FCC, jokingly introduced himself to a confused Jimmy Kimmel. Kimmel thought he’d heard De Niro make a threat against Whoopi Goldberg from ‘The View,’ but De Niro explained he was just illustrating the idea of facing repercussions for one’s actions.

Kimmel accused the FCC of using intimidating methods to stifle free speech, prompting a sharply worded response from De Niro, who asked, “What did you just say to me?”

“About that free speech? It ain’t free no more,” he went on. “We’re charging by the word now.”

The cost depends on the message. Complimenting the president’s appearance – specifically, praising his hair and makeup skills – is free. However, making a joke at his expense, like commenting on his weight, will cost you something – potentially a finger or a tooth.

Following the segment, Jimmy Kimmel returned to his usual routine, making jokes about Donald Trump’s mistakes at the United Nations on Tuesday and his unsubstantiated claims about Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism risk. There’s no solid proof to support Trump’s claim.

Jimmy Kimmel hadn’t publicly addressed his suspension until Tuesday’s show, which airs at 11:35 p.m. Pacific Time. However, many figures in the entertainment industry – including talk show hosts, actors, comedians, writers, and the former CEO of Disney – had already criticized ABC’s decision to temporarily halt production.

Just hours before taping his show on Tuesday, Jimmy Kimmel returned to Instagram after a brief hiatus. He shared a photo with legendary television producer Norman Lear, with the caption “Missing this guy today.” Lear, who recently passed away, was a frequent collaborator with Kimmel on shows like “Live in Front of a Studio Audience” and was a well-known champion of free speech and the First Amendment. He also founded People for the American Way, an organization dedicated to fighting censorship.

Before Tuesday’s show, Trump shared his reaction to Kimmel’s return on social media. He posted on Truth Social that he was surprised the show was still on, claiming ABC had previously told the White House it was cancelled.

Trump questioned why anyone would rehire someone he considers a poor performer, unfunny, and a risk to the network, accusing them of consistently promoting biased, pro-Democrat content. He further claimed this individual functions as an extension of the Democratic National Committee and that their continued employment could be considered an illegal campaign contribution.

He went on to write he wanted to “test ABC out on this.”

He expressed confidence in a potential outcome, recalling a previous defamation lawsuit against ABC where he received a $16 million settlement after ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos made inaccurate statements. He believes this current situation could be even more financially rewarding, dismissing his opponents as failures and wishing comedian Jimmy Kimmel, whose ratings he criticized, ill fortune.

The head of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, publicly urged ABC to address Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks last week. Carr, appointed by former President Trump, implied the network could face consequences if it didn’t act, stating they could resolve the issue “the easy way or the hard way.”

Well, things escalated quickly! After hours of back-and-forth, Nexstar, which owns a lot of ABC stations, decided to pull “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from its lineup, and ABC quickly followed suit. But it didn’t stop there. Sinclair Broadcasting, a company known for leaning right politically, not only canceled the show but actually *demanded* Kimmel donate money – both to the family of the commentator he’d joked about, and to Turning Point USA, a conservative group. It’s a really unusual situation, to say the least, and feels like a clear statement about where these companies stand.

The following day, FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez – the sole Democrat on the five-member commission – issued a strongly worded statement.

Hollywood Inc.

SAG-AFTRA and WGA protest the decision to pull the late-night show after FCC chairman’s threats.

Gomez argued that the FCC doesn’t have the power, capacity, or legal right to control content or penalize broadcasters for expressing views the government opposes. He strongly criticized ABC’s decision as a disappointing and fearful act of giving in, claiming it threatens the core principles of free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment.

Gomez explained that when companies give in to pressure, they threaten not only their own interests but also everyone’s right to speak freely. He emphasized that protecting the First Amendment isn’t just the government’s job – it’s everyone’s responsibility. He believes free speech is essential to our democracy, and we must actively oppose any efforts to limit it.

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2025-09-24 07:32