Jimmy Kimmel Returns to Late Night Amid Free-Speech Backlash

Jimmy Kimmel Live! is set to return to ABC on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, ending a six-day suspension that followed controversial remarks by Jimmy Kimmel about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. ABC and its parent, Disney, said they held “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel over the weekend before making the decision to bring the show back.

Money Talks and Bullsh*t Walks: The Protest and Backlash

The suspension ignited wide public backlash. Over 400 Hollywood stars, including Jennifer Aniston, Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Selena Gomez, and others signing an open letter organized by the American Civil Liberties Union defending Kimmel and free speech after the show was pulled. Many viewers protested outside Disney and ABC studios, and there were reports of hundreds of thousands of cancellations of subscriptions to Disney+ and Hulu in response.

The Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC, issued the following statement:

“Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,”

“It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive,” the statement said. “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.”

Not everyone will be able to see the show

Despite ABC and Disney reinstating the show, not all viewers will be able to watch it. Major ABC affiliate groups Sinclair and Nexstar have announced they will not air Jimmy Kimmel Live! in their local markets when it returns. Instead, those affiliates plan to replace the show with local news programming or other content. Combined, these stations represent about 25% of ABC’s household reach.

Conclusion

The controversy has sparked debates over censorship, government influence, and the power local stations and regulators can exert over network content. Regardless of the affiliates that continue to block the show, the reinstatement is being viewed by many as a win for free speech.

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