Liputan6.com, Jakarta The popular talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" finally return to ABC on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, after being suspended indefinitely.
The decision to announce Jimmy Kimmel's return follows a heated controversy sparked by the host's comments regarding the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
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The suspension of the show was made by ABC, which is owned by Disney, on September 17, 2025.
However, the talkshow is reportedly to be return not long after the suspension.
In fact, Jimmy Kimmel received a standing ovation on his return to late-night TV on Tuesday, with chants of "Jimmy, Jimmy" from his studio audience.
In a highly emotional monologue, Kimmel began his first show after a week-long suspension from ABC by referencing Jack Paar when he quit and returned to The Tonight Show in 1960.
“As I was saying before I was interrupted…,” he joked.
Jimmy Kimmel Return and TV Affiliate Reaction
Kimmel, in his first show since September 16, thanked his fans as well as those who “don’t support my show and what I believe, but support my right to share those beliefs.”
He added that, “Our government cannot be allowed to control what we do and do not say on television.”
On September 22, 2025, Disney officially announced Jimmy Kimmel's return, confirming that "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" would return to the airwaves on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
He was said to call the incident a "tragedy" and assert that he never meant to trivialize the murder, an attempt to defuse tensions following the controversy.
“It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” he said.
He also thanked Ben Shapiro, Rand Paul and Ted Cruz, people who he doesn’t agree with but support his right to say it.
“Even though I don’t agree with many of those people on most subjects, some of the things they say even make me want to throw up. It takes courage for them to speak out against this administration, and they did, and they deserve credit for that,” he said.
Jimmy Kimmel's Comment Controversy
The main trigger for the show's suspension was Jimmy Kimmel's monologue on September 15, 2025, in which he made highly controversial statements.
Kimmel accused the "MAGA" (Make America Great Again) group of trying to politicize the murder of Charlie Kirk, a young conservative activist.
In his monologue on Monday, Kimmel said the "Maga gang" was "desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them" and of trying to "score political points from it".
Furthermore, Kimmel also mocked former President Donald Trump's reaction to Kirk's death.
He compared Trump's grieving to a four-year-old child grieving the death of his pet goldfish, adding to the growing list of criticisms against him.
Public Reaction and Financial Impact
The suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" sparked widespread public debate about the limits of free speech.
Hundreds of Hollywood celebrities signed an open letter defending freedom of expression and condemning the suspension decision, expressing support for Kimmel.
Former President Donald Trump, on the other hand, praised the show's initial suspension.
He attributed ABC's decision to Kimmel's "bad ratings" and "lack of talent," attacking the host personally.
Following the announcement of Kimmel's return, Trump renewed his criticism and even hinted at legal action against ABC.
Although ABC had decided to bring the show back, not all network affiliates agreed.
Major TV owners Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, which operate most ABC affiliates, stated that they would continue to delay the airing of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and replace it with local news programming.
Sinclair even went so far as to demand that Jimmy Kimmel donate to the Kirk family and his conservative advocacy group, Turning Point USA.