Jimmy Kimmel Live! Set to Return Tuesday After Explosive Suspension Over Charlie Kirk Assassination Comments That Shook ABC, Disney, and Late-Night TV
Jimmy Kimmel is headed back to late-night television after a stormy week that saw his long-running talk show abruptly suspended in the wake of his controversial remarks about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. ABC confirmed on Monday that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will officially return on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, marking the end of an unprecedented hiatus that dominated entertainment and political headlines.
The suspension began after Kimmel’s September 15 monologue, when the comedian addressed the killing of Kirk. While criticizing what he described as “politicized reactions” from certain conservative figures, Kimmel used sharp language, referring to critics as the “MAGA gang” and suggesting that outrage over the shooter’s alleged motives was being weaponized. His comments, delivered with his trademark sarcasm, quickly ignited a media firestorm.
Within days, ABC’s parent company Disney announced it would pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from the schedule “indefinitely.” The move came amid mounting backlash from political leaders, media watchdog groups, and broadcasting giants such as Nexstar and Sinclair, both of which refused to air the show following the controversy. Even FCC Chairman Brendan Carr weighed in, hinting that regulatory issues could arise if the program continued in its original form.
The decision stunned Hollywood, where Kimmel has been a fixture for more than two decades. As one of late-night’s most prominent hosts, his absence highlighted the delicate balance networks must strike between comedy, commentary, and corporate caution in an era of deep political polarization. For nearly a week, speculation swirled: Was Kimmel’s career in jeopardy? Would ABC replace him? Or would Disney’s leadership stand behind the veteran host despite pressure from critics?
By Monday, the network announced that Kimmel would return. In a statement, Disney acknowledged that some of the comedian’s remarks were “ill-timed and thus insensitive,” but emphasized that the suspension had been a “cooling-off period” rather than a termination. The company stressed that it remains committed to supporting free expression, while also being mindful of the cultural tensions surrounding Kirk’s assassination.
Insiders say Kimmel is expected to directly address the controversy in Tuesday’s broadcast. Whether he issues a formal apology or leans into his comedic instincts remains to be seen, but all eyes will be on the late-night veteran as he reclaims his spot behind the desk.
The show’s return does not guarantee smooth sailing, however. While ABC’s national network will carry the program, some affiliates—including stations owned by Nexstar and Sinclair—have signaled they may continue to withhold the broadcast. That decision could significantly limit the show’s reach in certain markets, creating a patchwork return that underscores the fractured media landscape.
For Kimmel, the incident represents one of the most dramatic challenges of his career. Yet if history is any guide, controversy has rarely kept him down for long. Viewers tuning in Tuesday will not only see the return of Jimmy Kimmel Live! but also the next chapter in late-night television’s ongoing collision with politics, comedy, and cultural fault lines
