Image source, Reuters

For most of the US, Jimmy Kimmel's talk show returned to TV screens on Tuesday night after being suspended for Kimmel's comments after Charlie Kirk's assassination.

Who is Jimmy Kimmel?

Kimmel is among the top talk show personalities in the US. He has emceed the Oscars four times and has hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003.

What did he say?

During his monologue last Monday, Kimmel said: "We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it."

Then what happened?

The comic's abrupt suspension came after threats by the federal TV regulator to revoke ABC's broadcast licence. Disney, which owns ABC, said it suspended the show because it "felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive"

How did the US respond?

US President Donald Trump welcomed Kimmel's suspension and suggested that some TV networks should have their licences "taken away" for negative coverage of him.

Hundreds of celebrities signed a letter backing Kimmel, including Meryl Streep and Robert DeNiro.

The fallout prompted a debate over free speech, with critics decrying the move as censorship.

And now?

Kimmel's show has returned, with the comedian offering a tearful apology in his opening monologue. Here's what happened during the comeback show.

However, the show isn't back for everyone - Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group replaced his slot with other programming.

Kimmel said "it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man" and that "a government threat to silence a comedian the president doesn't like is anti-American".

This is where we will end our live coverage, but you can keep up to date with the latest in the news article.

The comments which led to Kimmel's suspension were made during his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, last Monday.

During his monologue, he spoke about the reaction to the shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.

"The Maga Gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said.

It was not the first time Kimmel had addressed the shooting. On the day Kirk was killed, Kimmel posted on social media to condemn the attack and send "love" to the 31-year-old activist's family.

Kimmel's comeback has been praised by his supporters, with actor Ben Stiller - who previously spoke out against the host's suspension - writing on X, external: "What a brilliant monologue from Jimmy Kimmel."

Among TV critics and commentators, Hollywood news site Deadline's Dominic Patten declared, external Kimmel "more than met the moment Tuesday - like we kinda knew he would".

For "all the anger and backlash for many different reasons around Kimmel’s suspension", the comedian's "deft decision Tuesday was to speak to the conservative activist’s grieving family and the big picture in America right now," he wrote.

"In addition, Kimmel got some hilarious help and cultural Kevlar from Robert De Niro as the new sycophantic head of the FCC to seal the deal - cause that’s how the pros do it."

Kimmel "came out swinging at President Donald Trump in a defiant monologue," wrote Tommy Christopher on Mediaite, external.

The New York Times' Mark Walker, external noted: "Some commentators on the right accused Mr Kimmel of faking his getting choked up as he discussed Mr Kirk’s death, while others did not believe he was sufficiently apologetic."

Peter Bowes
North America correspondent

An emotional Jimmy Kimmel returned to late night television, humbled but defiant after being suspended - or as he put it, interrupted - for almost a week.

He said it was never his intention to make light of Charlie Kirk's murder, tearfully acknowledging that his earlier remarks may have been "ill-timed."

He said he never wanted to blame any specific group for Kirk's murder, and he praised his widow, Erika Kirk, for the forgiveness she gave her husband's killer when she spoke at the memorial service over the weekend.

It was, he said, "a selfless act of grace." But Jimmy Kimmel's humility turned to anger when he addressed President Trump, who posted on social media before the show that he couldn't believe the comedian was back on the air.

He called that "un-American" and "dangerous", adding that the show itself may not matter—but the freedom to have it does.

Regan Morris
Reporting from Los Angeles

A petition urging Nexstar and Sinclair to return Jimmy Kimmel to their affiliate airways has been signed by more than 230,000 people.

The MoveOn petition says all ABC affiliates should “reinstate Jimmy Kimmel", accusing the affiliates of "caving to authoritarian censorship".

In many cities, Jimmy Kimmel’s return to the airways wasn’t happening as ABC affiliate owners Nexstar and Sinclair are refusing to air the show. Sinclair and Nextar both indicated that Kimmel's show could return.

People in Washington, DC and Nashville, for example, can only watch the show on streaming or YouTube.

“Nexstar and Sinclair are still refusing to air the show on their ABC affiliate broadcasts, choosing instead to align with the Trump administration and the FCC,” the petition reads.

Almost 70 affiliate stations of ABC owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group did not air Jimmy Kimmel's comeback show today.

Entertainment publication Deadline says the show didn't reach about one quarter of US households.

Sinclair and Nexstar said in statements they would be replacing Jimmy Kimmel Live! with other programmes.

Sinclair said "discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show's potential return", while Nextar said it "stands by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve".

Image source, ABC

If you're just joining us following Jimmy Kimmel's much anticipated return after being suspended by ABC, here are some standout moments from the show:

• Addressing his comments about Charlie Kirk, Kimmel offered a tearful apology saying it was never his intention to make light of the murder and that it may have been an ill-timed statement

• Kimmel said he never wanted to blame any specific group for Kirk's murder and praised Erika Kirk's forgiveness of the killer at a memorial over the weekend
• The comedian thanked those who protested for his return, as well as prominent conservatives who dislike him but didn't support his suspension
• Kimmel blasted Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Brendan Carr, who was one of the first to call for his suspension
• He also slammed Donald Trump for calling for the axing of his fellow late-night hosts
• Hollywood legend and notable Trump critic Robert De Niro appeared in a skit in which he played the new chairman of the FCC. "Speech, it ain't free no more," De Niro quipped
• Actor Glen Powell was Kimmel's first guest back, saying to the host: "I'm just so happy you're back"

Regan Morris
Reporting from Los Angeles

Image source, Getty Images

Johnny Carson was known as the “King of Late Night.”

The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson aired on NBC from 1962 to 1992 and was a beloved American institution. Since Kimmel’s show was suspended, a clip of a 1979 interview with Carson has gone viral with the legendary comic warning fellow late night hosts from weighing in on “serious issues”.

I spoke with Robert Dolce who was a talent co-ordinator on the show for decades. He thinks Carson “would have acknowledged that the train is off the tracks” and that the government getting involved in editorial decisions was “frightening".

Dolce says it was a very different time in 1979 when “ethics, character and moral clarity ruled” and “our leaders didn't worship at the altar of the money and power".

“He was an iconic star,” Dolce said of Carson, who died in 2005. “A bright light in a dark place.”

Dolce also said he wrote to Disney CEO Bob Iger “condemning him for bending a knee to a convicted felon”.

If you missed the show, here are some photos from Kimmel's first night back after network ABC's suspension of his programme.

Image source, ABC/Randy Holmes

Image source, ABC/Randy Holmes

Image source, ABC/Randy Holmes

Image source, ABC/Randy Holmes

Image source, ABC/Randy Holmes

Regan Morris
Reporting from Los Angeles

Image source, Getty Images

Late-night host Stephen Colbert opened his show tonight welcoming his rival back to the airwaves - and acknowledging that his own ratings would suffer as everyone else was watching Kimmel.

Colbert, whose "The Late Show" will end in May 2026 after CBS announced its cancellation in July, has been vocal in his support of Kimmel.

“To everyone watching from home, who I think might just be my wife Evie because everybody else is probably watching ABC because tonight Jimmy Kimmel returned to the airways,” Colbert said. “I’m glad Kimmel is back.

"He’s a wonderful fellow.”

Image source, ABC/Randy Holmes

After a musical performance by Canadian singer Sarah McLachlan to close out the show, Kimmel thanks the audience and his guests.

Finally, he signs off with a signature salute to his ongoing faux feud with actor Matt Damon:

"Apologies to Matt Damon."

Image source, Getty Images

Actor Glen Powell is now up, talking to Kimmel about his upcoming series Chad Powers.

"I'm just so happy you're back," Powell says as he sits down with the host.

Image source, Getty Images

Kimmel brings out Hollywood legend and notable Trump critic, Robert De Niro, in a skit playing the new chairman of the FCC.

De Niro begins with a warning, "Whoopi over there to show some respect", referencing Trump's threat to take down another popular ABC show, the View.

"Speech, it ain't free no more," says De Niro. "We're charging by the word now."

He follows by cursing several times in a back-and-forth with Kimmel, saying as the new FCC chair he can say "whatever I want".

De Niro also announces a new motto for the FCC: "Sticks and stones may break your bones."

"Words, they can harm you now. Just make sure you pick the right words."

The skit ends with De Niro pretending to take a call from Trump, which he answers with: "Hi, handsome."

If you're just joining us, Kimmel has wrapped up perhaps his mostly highly anticipated opening monologue ever.

Here's what he's said:

• Kimmel addressed his comments about Charlie Kirk, offering a tearful apology about what he said may have been an ill-timed statement.
• "It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man," he said.
• He said he never wanted to blame any specific group for Kirk's murder, and he praised Erika Kirk's forgiveness of the killer at a memorial over the weekend
• The comedian thanked those who protested for his return, and prominent conservatives who dislike him but didn't support his show's suspension
• Kimmel blasted FCC chair Brendan Carr, who was one of the first to call for his suspension
• He also slammed Donald Trump for calling for the axing of his fellow late-night hosts

Image source, Disney via Getty Images

Kimmel's highly anticipated monologue is over. Now on with the show.

The comedian gets in his thanks, jabs and apologies.

We will continue bringing you more updates.

Struggling through tears again, Kimmel praises Erika Kirk's forgiveness of her husband's alleged killer at his memorial service over the weekend.

"It was a selfless act of grace... that touched me deeply," he says.

He adds that America should take Erika Kirk's comments as an example.

Kimmel now calls out Trump for calling for the firing of his fellow late night hosts, Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers.

"Our leader celebrates people losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke," he says.

He adds that Trump openly rooting for people to lose their jobs is "un-American" and "dangerous".

"A government threat to silence a comedian the president doesn't like is anti-American," Kimmel goes on to say.

"Our government cannot be allowed to control what we do and do not say on television."

Kimmel thanks Disney for "welcoming" him back on air, but not before getting in a joke.

The comedian opens a folded piece of paper he says Disney asked him to read, titled, "How to reactivate your Disney+ subscription".

Over the last week, people have been posting screenshots on social media cancelling their Disney+ subscriptions with the caption "#boycottDisney" in response to Kimmel's suspension.

Kimmel is now going after FCC chair Brendan Carr, the Trump appointee who is central to the controversies around Kimmel's suspension.

As a reminder, the Federal Communications Commission issues broadcasting licenses in the US.

"Brendan Carr is the most embarrassing car Republicans have embraced since this one," he says, showing a picture of a Tesla Cybertruck with Trump's name emblazed on the side.

He says that Carr used to be a free speech advocate, but the script flipped when it came to his show last week.