Jimmy Kimmel returns to ABC studio ahead of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ revival amid suspension fallout
Kimmel resumes his late-night run after a controversial suspension over remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death, drawing mixed reactions from networks, affiliates and Hollywood luminaries.
Jimmy Kimmel arrived at ABC’s Hollywood studio on Tuesday, hours before the return of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, as the late-night program prepared to resume following a suspension tied to controversial remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death. The 57-year-old host was seen exiting an Audi and moving quickly toward a back entrance, flanked by security as photographers and onlookers gathered outside the studio in Los Angeles.
ABC Studios had pulled the program on Sept. 17 after backlash over Kimmel’s comments that referenced Charlie Kirk’s death and the claim that Kirk’s suspected killer was part of a MAGA gang. Kimmel’s opening monologue on Sept. 15 had drawn widespread criticism, and network executives reportedly pressed for an apology as the show prepared to return. The comeback followed negotiations with Disney leadership, including Chief Executive Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment Co-Chair Dana Walden, and the host signaled he would address the controversy during his monologue but would not issue a formal apology.
Despite the return, Sinclair Broadcast Group — which owns a large share of ABC affiliates — said it would not air the episode on dozens of its stations, replacing it with news programming while discussions with ABC continue about the show’s potential broader return. Nexstar, another major ABC affiliate owner, joined in condemning the remarks and urged accountability and a meaningful response from the show’s team. The move underscored the leverage local affiliates hold in deciding how and when late-night programs appear, even as the network seeks continuity across its national slate.
News of the suspension and the ensuing fallout touched a broader Hollywood conversation, including more than 400 high-profile actors and filmmakers who signed an open letter condemning Disney’s decision to punish Kimmel. Turning Point USA, a conservative group linked to Kirk, applauded Sinclair’s decision to skip the comeback episode and continue pressuring for an apology and a donation to their organization.
Kimmel’s social-media activity since the suspension has been notably restrained; he posted Tuesday for the first time since the incident, sharing a photo with his late mentor Norman Lear and offering no direct comment on the controversy. The post, interpreted by observers as a signal of personal reflection, was accompanied on set by a show of support from Guillermo Rodriguez, Kimmel’s longtime sidekick, who posted a photo of them embracing with the caption that they were “back full of love.”
Kimmel’s first guests since the suspension are set to be Grammy winner Sarah McLachlan and actor Glen Powell. The episode is scheduled to air at 11:35 p.m. Eastern, marking a cautious restart for a program that has long been a staple of late-night lineups. The network has publicly framed the return as part of a broader dialogue about accountability and standards, while maintaining that the host will address the situation without providing a blanket apology.
The drama surrounding Kimmel’s return comes as ABC and Disney navigate investor expectations, affiliate concerns, and political scrutiny from regulators and industry actors alike. While some viewers welcomed the resumption, others remain critical of the handling of the suspension. Kimmel’s team has emphasized that the show’s return reflects a commitment to continuing the program’s long-running format and its place in the network’s late-night lineup, even as it undergoes heightened examination in the current climate.