Jimmy Kimmel Returns to 'Live!' After Suspension
Jimmy Kimmel (https://www.tmz.com/people/jimmy-kimmel/) has returned to 'Live!' six days after ABC placed the show on indefinite hiatus following his comments about Charlie Kirk’s death and his firm apology to the FCC and President Donald Trump. He emphasized that he never intended to lighten up the subject, praised free speech, and condemned pressure from the government to remove him from airwaves. Despite this, he joked about preempting the 'Celebrity Family Feud' before admitting the past 48 hours felt surreal, comparing it to the week when Tylenol’s CEO faced similar challenges. He highlighted that even those who disagree with him defended his right to stay on the air, noting that many people reached out to him, including Larry, the Seattle radio boss who previously refused to do a donut-bit. He expressed solidarity across political lines, thanking ABC for its 23-year support and acknowledging Trump’s push to fire late-night hosts. In comedy, he joked with Robert De Niro as the FCC Chairman and mocked Trump’s United Nations address, escalator mishap, and teleprompter struggles. He also thanked viewers for their support, stressing that even those who disagree with him were able to hear his voice. His return to Instagram was announced earlier Tuesday, where he shared a photo with Norman Lear, an advocate for the First Amendment. As reported Monday, ABC confirmed his return but noted that the program won’t be broadcast to all network affiliates until Media Group and Sinclair (which owns many affiliate stations) confirm they will continue to block 'Live!' for now.
