He’s Back: Jimmy Kimmel’s Return Ignites Reactions From Hollywood to Washington

Less than a week after “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was pulled from the air, the late-night host is set to make his return. The Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC, announced that the show would air again on Tuesday, following significant public and media pressure.

The suspension of Kimmel’s show came after comments he made regarding the death of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. This decision followed pressure from FCC Chair Brendan Carr and Nexstar, the media company that owns many ABC affiliate stations. While former President Donald Trump celebrated the initial suspension, it sparked protests and calls to boycott Disney.

On Monday, Disney reversed its decision, allowing Kimmel to return to the air. This announcement was met with mixed reactions from various public figures.

Stephen Colbert welcomed Kimmel back during an episode of “The Late Show.” He humorously declared, “Just a few hours before we taped this broadcast, we got word that our long national late-night nightmare is over.” Colbert’s remarks elicited cheers and applause from the audience. He added a light-hearted jab at his own situation, joking about being the only one getting canceled.

On “The Daily Show,” Jon Stewart emphasized the importance of free speech in light of Kimmel’s return. He criticized Trump for allegedly using government power to punish opponents, stating, “You can join the rest of us and fight like hell for this constitutional republic.” Stewart noted that public backlash against Disney’s decision played a crucial role in bringing Kimmel back.

Comedian Ben Stiller celebrated Kimmel’s return with several emojis in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Stiller had previously expressed his disapproval of the show’s suspension, reinforcing his support for Kimmel.

California Governor Gavin Newsom took to X to express gratitude for Kimmel’s return, specifically thanking everyone except FCC Chair Brendan Carr. He described the decision as a “win for free speech everywhere.”

When contacted by Business Insider, Carr commented on the situation, emphasizing the FCC’s goal of empowering local TV stations. He denied that the FCC threatened to revoke Disney and ABC’s licenses if Kimmel was not fired, stating, “A lot of the last couple of days can be boiled down to projection and distortion.”

Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City, highlighted the public’s role in Kimmel’s reinstatement. He stated, “Last week, Disney/ABC caved to Trump administration pressure. Millions of Americans helped them find their backbone.” Mamdani also mentioned his intention to reschedule a town hall with ABC, which he had previously canceled due to Kimmel’s suspension.

In a statement on X, Sinclair Broadcasting Group, which owns several ABC affiliate stations, announced that it would not be airing “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” beginning Tuesday. Instead, they plan to replace the show with news programming. The company indicated that discussions with ABC regarding Kimmel’s potential return are ongoing.

Andrew Kolvet, spokesman for Turning Point USA, expressed disappointment over Kimmel’s return, stating, “Disney and ABC caving and allowing Kimmel back on the air is not surprising, but it’s their mistake to make.” Kolvet, who has ties to Charlie Kirk’s podcast, criticized the decision as a capitulation to public pressure.

Actor Mark Hamill, known for his role as Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars,” shared a screenshot of a news story announcing Kimmel’s return, humorously predicting a reaction on social media.

The return of Jimmy Kimmel to late-night television has sparked a wide range of reactions from celebrities, politicians, and the public. As discussions around free speech and media control continue, Kimmel’s comeback serves as a focal point in the ongoing dialogue about the responsibilities of broadcasters and the impact of public opinion on media programming.