Jimmy Kimmel finally returns to late-night, but his first words take viewers by surprise: ‘This show is not...’
After nearly a week off the air, ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ returned on Tuesday night (September 23) with an episode that looked and felt different from most. The late-night host opened the show not with jokes or banter but with a solemn 15-minute monologue. He addressed the controversy that forced ABC to temporarily suspend his program. Kimmel, who came under fire last week for remarks he made while reacting to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, admitted he had struck the wrong tone. Fighting back emotion, he told viewers his comments had been misinterpreted by many as making light of the tragedy.
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As quoted by ABC News, “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” Kimmel said, pausing before continuing. “I don’t think there’s anything funny about it.” The host explained that he had not meant to blame any particular group, though he understood how some might have taken it that way. Kimmel also aimed his criticism at his critics, including Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, who accused him of crossing a line. Kimmel described the FCC leader’s response as an attempt at censorship that he believed to be “un-American.”
He also acknowledged the flood of support he had received, not just from his peers in late-night but even from conservative figures like Ben Shapiro and Senator Ted Cruz for defending his right to free expression. “This show is not important,” Kimmel said at one point. “What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.” Moreover, Kimmel referenced Erika Kirk’s speech at her late husband’s memorial service, where she publicly forgave the suspected killer. “It touched me deeply,” he admitted. “And if there's anything we should take from this tragedy to carry forward, I hope it can be that -- and not this.”
The Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC, released a statement a day earlier confirming the show’s return, as reported by 'Good Morning America'. Executives said the decision to suspend the program the week before had been made to prevent “inflaming” an already tense national climate. “We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy,” the company said, noting that they ultimately felt confident about moving forward with him back on air. Still, the controversy has not fully subsided. Broadcasting giants Nexstar and Sinclair both announced they would continue to preempt ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ across their ABC affiliates for the time being.
