Jimmy Kimmel Reflects on Show’s Return After Suspension

In a recent interview with Stephen Colbert on “The Late Show,” Jimmy Kimmel shared that he initially doubted his show would make a comeback. He recalled, “It was around 3 AM. We tape at 4 AM and I’m in my office, doing the usual things. Then I get this call from ABC. It felt unusual, you know? An ABC executive expressed concerns about what I might say that night, ultimately deciding we should go ahead and air the show.”

Kimmel’s show faced significant scrutiny after comments regarding the alleged assassin Charlie Kirk, sparking a backlash that led to its suspension. After discussions with Disney officials, Kimmel returned to the air last Tuesday.

“When I heard about the situation, I thought it was over. They said they wanted to go ahead, while I thought it was a bad idea. In the end, there was a vote and, well, I lost,” he said, explaining to his staff how close he felt they were to ending the show altogether.

Upon learning the decision, Kimmel had to send the audience home, stating, “When I emerged from that meeting, my wife commented I looked paler than Jim Gaffigan.” He discussed the controversial remarks that led to his suspension upon returning last week.

Kimmel noted, “If you like me, you like me; if you don’t, well, that’s on you. I know I can’t change minds, but I wanted to be clear about my stance.” Meanwhile, CBS announced in July that Colbert’s show would conclude in May 2026 due to financial reasons amid a challenging landscape for late-night television.

Following the announcement of Kimmel’s return, Colbert expressed his relief and joy, joking that he was glad his friend was not canceled. “Now that Jimmy’s back, I can enjoy this again,” he said regarding his recent Emmy victory. “After all, I remain the only ‘Martian’ on at this hour.”