Jimmy Kimmel Set to Return Tomorrow After Suspension Over Charlie Kirk Comments
Written by b87fm on 09/22/2025
Jimmy Kimmel Live! is officially coming back to late-night TV after a whirlwind week that saw Disney pull the plug “indefinitely.” The network confirmed the show will return on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 — just six days after the suspension made headlines across the country.
The pause followed a firestorm over comments Kimmel made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The jokes drew swift outrage from conservative groups, political commentators, and even ABC affiliates — some of whom pressured the network to yank the show altogether.
Things escalated further when the FCC chairman himself weighed in, warning networks to be “mindful” of their content in the wake of Kirk’s death. Critics say this is more than just a celebrity scandal — it’s a test of free speech in America, raising real questions about how much influence government regulators should have over creative expression on TV.
In its statement, Disney said the brief suspension was meant to “lower the temperature” and give space for “meaningful conversations” with Kimmel. While acknowledging that the remarks were “ill-timed” and “insensitive,” the company ultimately decided he should return to the airwaves.
“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,” said a statement from the Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC.
Behind the scenes, industry insiders say ABC was feeling the squeeze from affiliates like Nexstar, which demanded action and threatened to pull Kimmel from their lineups. That corporate pressure — paired with political outrage — fueled fears that the late-night host might not come back at all.
But Disney’s decision to bring him back underscores both the staying power of Kimmel’s show and the larger balancing act networks face between accountability, censorship, and creative freedom.
Kimmel himself, who’s been hosting since 2003, hasn’t commented yet on either the suspension or his rapid return.
This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.
