After a week off the air, Jimmy Kimmel is returning to his late-night post at ABC, ending a short suspension that sparked national debate.
ABC confirmed that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will resume Tuesday night, following what the network described as a “pause” to reflect on the public reaction to Kimmel’s recent on-air remarks. His commentary about the killing of conservative figure Charlie Kirk ignited backlash from media groups and prompted FCC pressure.
“We stepped back to assess the climate and had open, honest talks with Jimmy,” said a network representative. “We’re moving forward now with a shared understanding about tone and timing.”
Kimmel’s suspension led to an intense public response. Some stations refused to air his show, while others issued statements distancing themselves from his commentary. However, support poured in from Hollywood peers, politicians across the spectrum, and viewers who saw the move as censorship.
Industry voices like Stephen Colbert and John Oliver publicly backed Kimmel. Even Senator Ted Cruz warned that disciplining comedians could create dangerous political precedents.
While ABC and Disney stopped short of apologizing, insiders say the decision to bring Kimmel back was driven by a desire to avoid appearing politically influenced and to re-center free expression.
As for Kimmel, he has yet to speak publicly since the break, but expectations are high for what he’ll say in his first show back. The spotlight will definitely be on him Tuesday night.
