Jimmy Kimmel made his return to ABC’s ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’on Tuesday, two days after being temporarily pulled off the air, apologising for comments made about the murder of young conservative activist Charlie Kirk.“It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” Kimmel said during his monologue. “I posted a message on Instagram the day he was killed sending love to his family and asking for compassion and I meant it and I still do.”Kimmel also took a sharp dig at Donald Trump, saying, “You almost have to feel sorry for him. He tried his best to cancel me. Instead, he forced millions of people to watch the show. That backfired bigly. He might have to release the Epstein files to distract us from this.”
Poll
Do you think Jimmy Kimmel should have been suspended for his comments?
He added that there was “one condition” for his return, joking that Disney required him to read a statement: “To reactivate your Disney Plus and Hulu account, open the Disney Plus app on your smart TV or TV connected device.”Reflecting on his long career at ABC, Kimmel said he was grateful for the freedom he has enjoyed. “I’ve been fortunate to work at a company that has allowed me to do the show the way we want for almost 23 years. I’ve done almost 4,000 shows on ABC, and over that time the people who run this network have allowed me to evolve and stretch the boundaries of what was once traditional for a late-night talk show, even when it made them uncomfortable, which I do a lot. Every night, they’ve defended my right to poke fun.”Also read – ‘Won’t air’: Sinclair Broadcast Group to boycott ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ despite return to network; talks with ABC ongoingKimmel, who was suspended amid criticism from conservatives and threats against him and his family, reflected on the overwhelming support he received from fellow late-night hosts, friends, and even political figures across the spectrum. “I want to thank the people who don’t support my show and what I believe, but support my right to share those beliefs anyway… Ted Cruz is right. He’s absolutely right,” Kimmel said.He also addressed the broader implications of free speech and government influence on media. “If the government gets in the business of saying you can’t say what you want, it will end badly for all of us,” Kimmel said, noting threats to comedians and journalists under the current administration.The host thanked ABC for reinstating him, saying he was grateful for the network’s support despite the controversy. “I was not happy when they pulled me off the air… but they welcomed me back on the air and I thank them for that,” he said.Kimmel reflected on lessons from comedy legends like Lenny Bruce and George Carlin, emphasizing the importance of satire in holding power accountable. He also condemned what he described as “un-American” attempts to silence dissenting voices.The episode featured Kimmel’s mix of apology, political commentary, and humour, including satirical segments on Donald Trump’s recent public appearances and policies. Kimmel concluded with a message about forgiveness, praising Charlie Kirk’s widow for her grace. “That is an example we should follow,” he said.
