So, what’s brewing for Jimmy Kimmel when he makes his way back on screen? Many viewers have been left wondering about this! Since the abrupt halt of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” last week on September 17, a storm of reactions has poured in from not only Hollywood stars but government officials too. Pretty wild, right?
Stephen Colbert, for instance, remarked that Kimmel’s suspension felt like “blatant censorship,” especially after CBS called off his own late-night gig. Meanwhile, the legendary Jon Stewart chimed in, labeling ABC’s move an “unprecedented consolidation of power and unitarian intimidation.” Quite the strong words coming from these icons!
Now, the buzz revolves around why Kimmel got benched in the first place. It all boiled down to his comments about Charlie Kirk’s passing and President Trump’s take on the tragic shooting that occurred on September 10. If you’re interested, there’s a full transcript detailing Kimmel’s comments from the September 15 show.
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Following Brendan Carr’s remarks, the FCC chair singled out Kimmel’s monologue as a “very, very serious issue right now for Disney,” accusing the comedian of sparking an outcry for his dismissal. Adding fuel to the fire, Trump expressed his support for the suspension, labeling it “great news for America.”
The situation’s got everybody buzzing, but guess what? We haven’t heard a peep from Kimmel about the suspension yet. His silence may finally end with his return on Monday, September 22, when Disney was clear the show would make a comeback after some “thoughtful conversations.” The suspense is real!
So, will he just skip over the controversies like “The View” did at first? Or will he adhere to Sinclair’s call for an apology to Kirk’s family?
On the other hand, is it possible Kimmel might go against the grain and throw shade at those who initially grounded his ventilator? Let’s see what he has up his sleeve!
Will Kimmel say sorry for Charlie Kirk comments?
So many questions! Kimmel has built a reputation for standing up against Trump and the administration, but we’re totally guessing what will happen when his show airs on Tuesday, September 23. Beyond Disney’s official comment on Monday, not much info is out there.
According to Disney, “Last Wednesday, we decided to halt production to prevent exacerbating a tense situation affecting our country emotionally,” with pronouncements that his comments didn’t land well. “After engaging in thoughtful discussions with Jimmy, we’ve chosen to resume the show on Tuesday.” Sounds like a tricky bash between humor and sensitivity!
For now, there’s harmony as Kimmel lines up for his usual spot at 11:35 p.m. ET tomorrow night.
Turning Point USA not thrilled about Kimmel’s comeback
CNN reports that Turning Point USA’s Andrew Kolvet isn’t excited about Kimmel’s return under ABC’s wing. He they’ve gone weak and see it as a blunder on their part. The statement is pretty blunt: “Disney and ABC allowing Kimmel back on the air isn’t shocking—but it’s their blunder. Timing is a factor.”
Nextstar’s response is still awaited.
Who might guest on Kimmel’s return episode?
The guest list for Kimmel’s comeback hasn’t been unveiled yet!
Notably, comedian Wanda Sykes was set to join the show right before things took a turn. In Sykes’ own words, “I was all set to roll out, then found out I was off what’s happening!” A letdown for everyone involved!
If we think further, Kimmel might have a wealth of visitors in mind. Over 400 high-profile stars, including the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Tom Hanks, threw their support behind him—a sign of solidarity when it mattered.
Is ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ making a permanent comeback?
The jury is still out. Nexstar and Sinclair might still choose to replace the show with their coverage.
According to their official note, earlier on September 22, a Sinclair representative shared, “Starting Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on certain ABC stations and putting in news content.” Clearly, conversations are still heated.
It’s important to note that despite having a show since 2003, Kimmel’s deal with ABC is set to expire in May 2026, hinting at potential twists coming up!
Contributing writers: Bryan Alexander, Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY
This article was first reported by USA TODAY: What to expect as Jimmy Kimmel returns to the air
