Kimmel Returns to Late Night After Suspension Over Charlie Kirk Remarks as Viewership Surges
Jimmy Kimmel addresses the controversy on his return, reveals his mother kept him fed during the hiatus, and the episode posts strong ratings as networks adjust affiliations.
Jimmy Kimmel returned to ABC's late-night lineup Tuesday after a week-long suspension tied to his remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk and an alleged assassin. The reinstatement marks the first new episode since the controversy erupted last week, and Kimmel faced a mixed online response as he resumed his duties at the desk.
Disney, ABC's parent company, said the suspension was intended to avoid inflaming a tense moment in a polarized national conversation. After thoughtful discussions with Jimmy and consultations with network executives, Disney announced that Kimmel Live! would resume airing. However, Sinclair and Nexstar stations, which together account for about a third of ABC’s affiliates, did not carry the program in some markets.
On the air, Kimmel delivered an emotional return, opening with a 20-minute monologue that touched on the earlier comments and his intent. While expressing remorse, he told viewers that it was never his intention to lampoon a murder case; he acknowledged the impact of his remarks and thanked colleagues, viewers and even some conservatives who defended him. The moment underscored the complexity of late-night conversations during a sensitive period in American public life.
The day’s ratings reflected renewed interest in the program. ABC said the Tuesday edition drew about 6.26 million viewers, a substantial jump from the show’s typical audience of roughly 1.8 million per night. The network noted that streaming viewership is not included in that TV tally, but added that the emotional monologue had been viewed more than 25 million times across social platforms.
Meanwhile, Kimmel used the occasion to spotlight personal support from beyond the studio. On Wednesday's episode, actress Lisa Ann Walter presented a plate of homemade pasta e fagioli to the host, who joked that his mother had been cooking relentlessly during the hiatus. Kimmel described Joann Iacono as a caregiver who kept the kitchen active while he was out of work, saying she even brought cookies bearing his face to the set. An audience member who attended the taping said she saw Joann wiping her eyes during the return, underscoring the emotional tone of the comeback.
Online reactions to the family anecdotes were swift and varied. Some social-media users teased Kimmel for seeking maternal support, with remarks suggesting that the length of the suspension had triggered a cry for motherly comfort. Others defended the late-night host, noting the episode’s high-stakes context and his effort to acknowledge pain on a public platform.
The broader controversy centered on remarks Kimmel made about Charlie Kirk and his alleged assassin. Kirk was targeted in connection with an incident at a Utah campus on September 10, resulting in multiple charges against the suspect, including capital murder. ABC described the suspension as a precaution during a volatile moment, while Kimmel’s supporters argued for space to reflect and engage in constructive dialogue. The network also emphasized that the suspension would be followed by careful discussions with the host as the show returned.
Kimmel addressed the topic directly in his first on-air return, acknowledging the misstep and explaining that any blame cast on a group was not his intention. He offered a partial explanation, saying that his aim was to critique a broader political climate rather than to dehumanize individuals, and he expressed gratitude for those who stood by him during the period away from the desk.
In a moment that drew public attention beyond the studio, Kimmel praised Erika Kirk, the widow of the late activist, for forgiving the shooter at her husband’s funeral. He called that act a powerful example of grace and forgiveness and said it was something to carry forward in times of national grief.
The episode’s rebound in audience and social engagement signaled a notable return to form for Kimmel's late-night program. While the suspension sparked scrutiny of how late-night hosts handle volatile political moments, Tuesday’s numbers showed a renewed appetite for his blend of humor, empathy, and current-event analysis. As the show moves forward, producers and network partners will likely monitor audience reception and the balance between candor and sensitivity in a rapidly evolving media landscape.