Jimmy Kimmel to Return to Air on Tuesday

“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is set to return to the airwaves on Tuesday night, just a few days after ABC announced the show's suspension. The popular late-night show was abruptly taken off the air last Wednesday after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) threatened the network over comments that Kimmel made in response to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Read on for the latest on this developing situation.

Jimmy Kimmel Back on Air Beginning on Tuesday

A spokesperson for the Walt Disney Company, which owns the ABC network, announced on Monday afternoon that Kimmel's show will return to the air on Tuesday. The spokesperson said that the initial decision to suspend production was made to "avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country." The statement went on to say that officials had spent the last few days in conversation with Jimmy about the show's future, deciding it was time to return to production.

“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was indefinitely suspended last week after the host made comments tying the suspect in Kirk's assassination to the MAGA movement. Critics of Kimmel said that the comments were insensitive. FCC Chair Brendan Carr joined forces with affiliate stations owned by Sinclair and Nextstar to threaten ABC over Kimmel's comments.

The decision by Disney triggered a national debate over freedom of speech and whether the government had the right to get involved in these issues. Over 400 artists and Hollywood leaders signed an open letter in support of Kimmel on Monday. Organized by the ACLU, the letter was signed by stars such as Jennifer Aniston, Tom Hanks, and Meryl Streep. Several actors with ties to Disney also signed the letter, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Pedro Pascal, Selena Gomez, and Olivia Rodrigo.

Protests erupted outside of Disney offices in New York City and Burbank, California, over the last few days regarding the decision to yank the show. American consumers reacted by canceling their subscriptions to Disney-owned subscription services such as Disney+ and ESPN+.

Reaction to the Return of the Show

Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet criticized the move to bring back the show. Kolvet issued a statement saying that Disney and ABC caved; however, Nexstar and Sinclair do not need to make the same decision.

Free expression advocacy group PEN America called the decision to restore the show "a vindication for free speech." The group had previously criticized Disney for caving to the wants of the Trump administration. PEN America interim co-CEO Summer Lopez said that Americans must continue to "channel the same energy" to fight back against ongoing assaults on free speech.

Carr’s FCC colleague Anna M. Gomez also released a statement applauding Disney's decision to return the show. As the only Democrat serving on the FCC, Gomez thanked Americans who spoke about what she called a "blatant attempt to silence free speech.”

Kimmel is a popular figure in Hollywood. In addition to his regular hosting duties on his late-night show, Kimmel is a regular on the awards show scene as an emcee. “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” employs between 200 and 250 people. Kimmel earned favor in Hollywood during the WGA strike in 2023, providing funds for his crew members when the show had to be suspended. Kimmel also used his show's backlot as a donation center hosting site when production was shut down in January of 2025 due to the deadly Los Angeles wildfires.

Critics of the decision to suspend the show last week accused Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment co-chairman Dana Walden of bowing down to government pressures. It is no secret that President Donald Trump is not a fan of Kimmel. The two have frequently exchanged barbs over the years. Disney needs to gain favor with the government for approval for pending deals, including the massive proposal involving ESPN and the NFL.

It is not yet known how Kimmel will approach to the return to the air on Tuesday. Those close to the comedian believe that he is not likely to back down.

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