After Being Suspended, Jimmy Kimmel Will Return: What Happened and What’s at Risk
Jimmy Kimmel is making a comeback to television. ABC has announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, following its “indefinite” suspension by ABC and Disney due to controversial remarks.
Following a turbulent week of criticism, political pressure, and worries about free speech, this action was taken. The background, the reasons for the suspension, the negotiation process for the return, and the ongoing repercussions are all broken down below.
The Reason for the Suspension of Jimmy Kimmel
- Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, while he was speaking at a university event in Utah.
- In his monologue, Jimmy Kimmel discussed Trump’s and MAGA supporters’ responses, as well as how some were trying to politicise Kirk’s passing. The MAGA movement was “trying very hard to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them,” he said, among other scathing comments.
- Conservative media, politicians, broadcast organisations, and even FCC Chair Brendan Carr criticised his remarks, voicing worries that ABC and Disney might be subject to regulatory repercussions, including threats to their broadcast licenses.
On September 17, ABC (owned by Disney) took Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air due to this backlash, citing the need to prevent escalating a sensitive and tense moment across the country.
The Week of Negotiation and Suspense
- Strong reactions followed the show’s cancellation, with many people (including other late-night hosts, unions, and Hollywood celebrities) supporting Kimmel’s right to free speech. Others thought his remarks were improper.
- The show was also dropped by broadcasters such as Sinclair and Nexstar, who operate numerous local ABC-affiliated stations. A direct apology and a donation to the Kirk family or Turning Point USA were among the demands they made of Kimmel and ABC.
- Disney and ABC said they had “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel. Kimmel allegedly disagreed that his remarks needed to be apologised for, but during these talks, there was discussion about how to respond to or explain them.
The Return: The Choice Made
On Monday, September 22, Disney revealed that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be back on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
According to the official statement, Kimmel’s comments were “ill-timed and thus insensitive,” and ABC suspended the program “to avoid further inflaming a tense situation.” However, they agreed to bring him back after some deliberation.
What Remains Unresolved and the Repercussions
The fallout from the show’s return hasn’t entirely gone away; there are still a number of problems:
Affiliates’ Partial Blackout
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! will no longer be broadcast on Sinclair Broadcast Group’s 39 ABC affiliates. Sinclair plans to substitute news programming for the show.
- Other broadcasters have either decided not to air the show again or joined the blackout.
Pressure from Regulations
- The participation of FCC Chair Brendan Carr added legal and regulatory aspects. According to his office, ABC and Disney should react appropriately or risk repercussions for failing to act “in the public interest.”
- The debate’s main issues continue to be government pressure, broadcast licenses, and free speech. The FCC’s threats are seen by many legal experts as going too far.
Financial and Reputational Effects
- In the days following the suspension, Disney’s stock value reportedly fell by billions.
- The public has also reacted negatively; many entertainment industry unions voiced their opinions, and viewers cancelled their Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions.
Kimmel’s Role and Approach
- Although he is anticipated to address the controversy when the show returns, Kimmel has not formally apologised for his remarks. It’s still unclear if he will provide clarifications or updated remarks.
- The more general query is: how will the program handle political commentary in the future, particularly in a divisive environment where remarks quickly turn into flashpoints?
The Significance of This
- Free Speech vs. Accountability: The case emphasises the conflicts between the right to free speech (particularly for public figures and entertainers) and the political and economic fallout from controversial remarks.
- Politics and Media Mix Intensely: Public opinion, demands from politically aligned broadcaster groups, and the participation of federal agencies like the FCC demonstrate how late-night shows are now a part of political discourse rather than just comedy or entertainment.
- Corporate Risk: Media firms like Disney have to strike a balance between public perception, advertiser concerns, creative freedom, and regulatory risk. This episode demonstrates how quickly all of these can be impacted by backlash.
- Establishing Precedents: How networks react to political pressure and criticism in the future may be influenced by how Kimmel’s case is handled. Threats from regulators and affiliates who refuse to broadcast are serious issues.
Things to Look Out for in the Return Episode
- Will Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue directly address the controversy? Will he double down, apologise, or provide clarification?
- Given that some affiliates (like Sinclair) are still refusing to air the show, how many viewers will be reached?
- Will there be more commentary on the role of late-night hosts in political commentary in the upcoming episode, possibly from media analysts or political figures?
- How will Disney respond to such incidents in the future? Because of the backlash, have they reversed this particular case or altered their policies?
