Jimmy Kimmel is set to return to late-night television this Tuesday, just a week after his show was halted due to comments that ignited a national debate over political discourse and freedom of speech.
His remarks touched on the conservative reaction to the murder of activist Charlie Kirk, attracting sharp criticism from President Trump and allies, including the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
This week, Disney did not clarify whether it anticipated an apology from Kimmel upon his return.
While Kimmel will be back on Tuesday, some ABC affiliates, specifically two local station owners, have opted not to air his show.
Nexstar Media Group, which owns numerous ABC affiliates, stated that they would only resume airing Kimmel once they are assured that all parties are committed to fostering constructive dialogue in their markets.
Sinclair Broadcasting also mentioned that discussions with ABC are ongoing regarding the potential return of the show.
Kimmel’s return is generating buzz in both Hollywood and Washington, with television and media analyst Bill Carter noting that it may become one of the year’s notable television events.
Carter remarked, “Everyone will either be watching live or checking in later to see what Kimmel has to say. In the short term at least, ‘Failed Jimmy Kimmel’ will have one of the most talked-about shows on TV.”
Disney described Kimmel’s comments about Kirk’s murder as “aghast and insensitive,” indicating his suspension was intended to prevent further escalation during a tense time in the country.
The company has had “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel throughout his suspension. Reports suggest he did not issue an apology while negotiating his return to the screen.
Statements from Nexstar and Sinclair highlight the scrutiny surrounding Kimmel’s response to the backlash and the high stakes of his return, which is crucial not only for him but also for the networks broadcasting his show.
The decision by Sinclair and Nexstar to boycott came after FCC commissioner Brendan Carr condemned Kimmel’s remarks, leading local affiliates to drop his program and question its public interest value. Both companies are anticipated to engage in significant dealings related to the FCC, with Nexstar recently announcing plans to acquire Tegna, pending FCC approval.
Although Trump celebrated Kimmel’s suspension, he has remained silent about the comedian’s upcoming return, continuing his pattern of engaging in live television events.
In a Tuesday afternoon social media statement, Carr criticized Democrats for “projection and distortion” surrounding Kimmel’s incident, emphasizing that it was the first time local stations have resisted national programming pressures like those from Disney.
Critics of the Trump administration, who argue that officials attempted to stifle dissenting voices, praised Disney’s choice to reinstate Kimmel. Political strategist David Axelrod commented on CNN that the situation raises concerns about government overreach in influencing media platforms.
Despite the ongoing discussions, Kimmel has remained silent since his suspension, aside from a brief Instagram post early Tuesday as he prepared for his late-night comeback.
