Jimmy Kimmel Set to Return as Disney Suspension Sparks Talk of a Standout Monologue
Insiders say the host could address the controversy and defend his team as production restarts after days of talks with Disney
Jimmy Kimmel is set to resume Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday after Disney and ABC suspended the late-night program over comments about Charlie Kirk’s death and the surrounding coverage. Disney announced on Monday that the show would return following discussions with Kimmel, ending several days of uncertainty about when and how the host would respond to the controversy.
Insiders told the Daily Mail that the content of Kimmel’s opening monologue is being kept secret and it remains unclear whether he will address the suspension directly. Staffers say there could be consequences if he does not defend himself or push back against the decision.
A separate insider told the Daily Mail that Kimmel is returning for his staff, insisting he didn’t want those who work for him to be left in limbo. “He is coming back for everyone that works for him and out of respect for them, he wanted everyone in his crew not to miss any pay and any more work than they already have missed,” the source said. The insider added that Kimmel’s current stance reflects a broader realization that he might not be leaving ABC immediately, even as negotiations about his future continue. “He is mad at them for doing this to him and his team and tomorrow will be must see TV; he is going to give us a glimpse of what he has been dealing with and we will all know what his plans are for the future. He isn’t going to take this lying down.”
Insiders expect the late-night host to “come out swinging” when he returns to air, with one source saying the last week has made his resolve bigger rather than weaker. The Daily Mail report notes that Kimmel drew criticism for his on-air remarks about the suspect in Charlie Kirk’s death, describing how he accused the MAGA movement of attempting to frame the suspect as something other than one of them and suggesting the remarks were part of a broader political point-scoring effort. The exchanges followed a warning from Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr that ABC and Disney could face penalties if the network aired content deemed inappropriate.
The controversy prompted more than a dozen ABC affiliates to tell the network and Disney they would not air Kimmel’s show until the remarks were addressed. Disney and senior ABC executives then announced the show would be suspended indefinitely, with a Disney statement saying the decision was made to avoid inflaming a tense moment for the country while “we have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.” No further details were provided.
Kimmel’s comments occurred on his program last Monday, when he argued that the MAGA group was attempting to characterize the suspect in Kirk’s murder as something other than a member of their movement. He also referenced the White House’s decision to fly flags at half-staff and commented on reactions to the situation, including Trump’s response to questions about his coping process. The remarks, along with the surrounding coverage, had become a flashpoint in a broader national conversation about political rhetoric and public remarks during a volatile moment for the country.
In parallel to the on-air controversy, prosecutors released a slew of text messages and other materials related to the suspect, Tyler Robinson, who has been charged with capital murder. The documents included messages that appeared to hint at a motive, and Governor Spencer Cox described the suspect’s ideology as distinct from the suspect’s family background, noting that family radicalization appeared to have played a role. The investigation and the accompanying public interest contributed to the decision to pause the show while Disney and ABC weighed their options.
As Kimmel prepares to return, the episode will likely test how networks balance sponsorship, public accountability, and creative freedom in a moment of heightened political sensitivity. The disclosed timing and tone of the monologue will be closely watched for signals about Kimmel’s stance on the suspension and his willingness to defend his staff, as well as the broader relationship between talent, studios, and corporate oversight in late-night television.