ABC announced the reinstatement of Jimmy Kimmel‘s late-night show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, following an indefinite suspension that sparked significant backlash. The network confirmed on Monday that Kimmel’s program will return on Tuesday, after a series of discussions between the comedian and network officials.
The suspension stemmed from comments Kimmel made during a monologue about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed on September 10, 2023. Kimmel suggested that “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk” and criticized the attempts to portray the perpetrator as anything other than a member of the same political faction.
Kimmel, who has hosted his show since 2003, has long been a prominent figure in American television and comedy, also serving as a host for the Academy Awards multiple times. Following his comments, major affiliate owners, including Nexstar and Sinclair, announced they would pull “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from their stations.
The backlash to Kimmel’s remarks was swift, drawing reactions from various quarters. Donald Trump, a frequent target of Kimmel’s humor, characterized the suspension as “great news for America” and called for the dismissal of other late-night hosts.
In an interview with Variety, Kimmel had previously expressed concerns about potential retaliatory actions against comedians by political figures. “Well, you’d have to be naive not to worry a little bit,” he noted, reflecting on the changing landscape of late-night television.
The suspension occurred during a period when Trump and his administration have openly sought to exert more influence over media coverage, evidenced by settled lawsuits with networks such as ABC and CBS. Additionally, Brendan Carr, the head of the Federal Communications Commission, issued warnings regarding Kimmel’s comments, stating, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” suggesting potential regulatory actions could follow if the network did not address Kimmel’s conduct.
As the late-night television landscape continues to evolve, with CBS announcing the cancellation of Stephen Colbert‘s show over the summer, Kimmel’s contract with The Walt Disney Company is set to expire in May 2026.
The reinstatement news comes amid a broader conversation about free speech in the entertainment industry. Over 430 notable figures from Hollywood and Broadway, including Robert De Niro, Ben Affleck, and Meryl Streep, signed an open letter from the American Civil Liberties Union, urging citizens to defend constitutional rights in light of Kimmel’s suspension.
Additionally, on the same day, the co-hosts of ABC’s “The View,” including Whoopi Goldberg, publicly condemned the decision to suspend Kimmel, stating, “No one silences us.”
As “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” prepares to return to air, the controversy highlights the tensions surrounding political discourse in comedy and the media’s response to it.
