Jimmy Kimmel Speaks Out After Days of Silence
Jimmy Kimmel has officially broken his silence after ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to television tonight. The late-night host, who had stayed off social media for nearly a week, posted a photo on Instagram with the late Norman Lear, captioned simply, “Missing this guy today.”
This return comes after the network temporarily suspended his show. Last week, Kimmel sparked backlash with comments about the motives of the shooter who killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
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Why Jimmy Kimmel Live! Was Pulled Off Air
During one of his monologues, Kimmel criticized efforts to shift the narrative around the shooter. He said, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them. In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”
As a result, the comments drew heavy criticism, including from the chair of the FCC. Soon after, Disney — the parent company of ABC — announced the indefinite suspension of the show.
Disney Explains Its Decision
On Monday, Disney shared more details about why it temporarily pulled the program. In a statement, the company explained, “It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive. 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.”
Nevertheless, the situation is not entirely resolved. Roughly a quarter of local ABC affiliates are still choosing not to air tonight’s episode, signaling ongoing controversy around Kimmel’s remarks.
Kimmel’s Subtle Tribute to Norman Lear
Kimmel’s choice to honor Norman Lear during this tense moment is especially telling. Lear, who passed away in 2023, was one of the most influential television writers and producers in American history.
Importantly, Lear had a long history of standing up to government censorship. He co-signed a major lawsuit against the FCC when it tried to enforce “family viewing time” restrictions on TV content. He also founded the progressive advocacy group People for the American Way and even appeared on President Richard Nixon’s infamous “enemies list.”
The Legacy of Norman Lear on Kimmel’s Career
Kimmel has always credited Lear as one of his biggest inspirations. In an emotional 2023 tribute on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he said, “He taught us so much about so many serious things, always making us laugh while he did it, and everyone who works in or even watches television owes him a great debt. Especially me.”
By posting about Lear today, Kimmel appeared to highlight the importance of free expression in television — something Lear fiercely defended throughout his career.
What’s Next for Jimmy Kimmel Live!
With his show returning to the air, Kimmel now faces the challenge of moving forward while controversy still lingers. However, his social media post suggests that he is both reflecting on his role in the debate and honoring the values of those who paved the way for him.
As the situation unfolds, viewers will be watching closely to see how Kimmel addresses the suspension on-air. Despite the rocky week, his tribute to Lear may indicate that he intends to stand by his principles while keeping comedy at the center of his late-night platform.
