Jimmy Kimmel returned to television Tuesday night following a week-long suspension over remarks that sparked backlash. The “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” host addressed his absence during the show’s first episode since Disney announced its return.
Kimmel opened with, “Anyway, as I was saying before I was interrupted,” referencing the controversy that led to his temporary removal. He clarified he never intended to mock Charlie Kirk’s assassination, stating, “It was a deeply disturbed individual” and emphasizing he did not assign blame to any group. The remarks had previously prompted Disney to suspend the show, citing concerns over insensitivity during a tense national moment.
Despite the network’s decision to resume broadcasting, two major TV station owners, Sinclair and Nexstar, announced they would preempt Kimmel’s show across portions of their ABC affiliates. Sinclair replaced it with news programming, while Nexstar cited conditions for continued airtime.
Kimmel acknowledged the divided reception, thanking late-night peers and critics alike for their support during his absence. The episode featured a standing ovation from the audience, with chants of his name echoing through the studio.
