Our long national late-night-mare has officially come to an end, as Jimmy Kimmel Live! is back on the airwaves in most parts of the country. After a week-long suspension, Kimmel returned to the studio on Wednesday, and fans were eager for his comedic take on current events. The audience greeted him with a rousing ovation and chants of “Jimmy! Jimmy! Jimmy!”, reminiscent of the lively atmosphere of The Jerry Springer Show.
In his second show back, Kimmel wasted no time in diving back into his signature style of comedy. He opened with several jokes about his preemption and even poked fun at fellow ABC program The Golden Bachelor. True to form, Kimmel quickly shifted the focus to mocking former President Donald Trump. This particular brand of humor is a staple for Kimmel, especially considering Trump’s active presence on social media during Kimmel’s suspension.
In a recent post on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed disbelief that ABC reinstated Kimmel, claiming that the network had initially informed the White House that the show was canceled. Trump went on to question why ABC would want to bring back someone he characterized as unfunny and damaging to the network’s reputation. "Let’s see how we do. Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 Million Dollars. This one sounds even more lucrative,” he added, suggesting a potential conflict with the network.
In response to Trump’s comments, Kimmel quipped, “Only Donald Trump would try to prove that he’s not threatening ABC by threatening ABC.” He humorously noted that Trump's assertion of Kimmel’s poor ratings was ironic, especially considering that his own ratings have been less than stellar. On his return episode, Kimmel acknowledged Trump’s claim about “bad ratings” while displaying the former president’s own low approval ratings on screen.
Despite nearly a quarter of the country experiencing blackouts due to affiliate preemptions caused by protests from station groups and owners, Jimmy Kimmel Live! enjoyed its largest-ever audience for a regular episode in the show’s 22-year history. This success underscores Kimmel’s ability to connect with viewers, even amid external controversies.
In a later segment of his Wednesday monologue, Kimmel humorously addressed the recent controversy dubbed "escalator-gate." This incident involved a malfunctioning escalator at the UN building as first lady Melania Trump and the president boarded. Kimmel's comedic handling of the situation helped to lighten the mood, ensuring that the audience remained engaged.
Kimmel was benched a week ago following remarks made during a monologue that referenced MAGA Republicans distancing themselves from the ideologies of conservative pundit Charlie Kirk and his alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson. Many on the right interpreted Kimmel’s comments as an unfair classification of Robinson’s beliefs, leading to significant backlash from sponsors and some station owners. Following pressure from Trump and FCC Chair Brendan Carr, Disney/ABC temporarily suspended the show.
As Kimmel settles back into his role, fans and critics alike are left to ponder the future of Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Will the show continue to thrive amidst ongoing controversies? One thing is certain: Kimmel's comedic voice remains a significant presence in late-night television, and audiences are eager for more of his insights and humor.
