Jimmy Kimmel made his return to television Tuesday night, addressing the backlash that led to his show’s suspension following remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination. The host opened with a statement acknowledging the controversy, saying, “Anyway, as I was saying before I was interrupted.” Fox News reported details of his monologue, in which Kimmel emphasized he never intended to mock the murder of the young conservative figure.
Kimmel received a standing ovation during his first episode back, with audiences chanting his name. He thanked late-night peers like Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart, as well as critics such as Clay Travis and Senator Ted Cruz, for their support during his absence. The host refrained from apologizing but clarified his intent: “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.”
Disney suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” after the comments sparked outrage, with the network stating the decision aimed to avoid further inflaming tensions. However, two major TV station owners, Sinclair and Nexstar, defied Disney’s return, preempting the show across their ABC affiliates. Kimmel’s remarks had previously drawn criticism for allegedly linking conservative reactions to Kirk’s killing, though he maintained the comments were not targeted at any specific group.
The episode marked a contentious return for Kimmel, as some stations continued to block his program despite Disney’s decision to reinstate it. The host’s statements and the broader controversy highlighted divisions in public reaction to his remarks.