Jimmy Kimmel Live! is officially set to return after a brief but highly publicized suspension. Disney announced that the late-night talk show will resume airing on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, just six days after it was pulled “indefinitely.”
The suspension came in the wake of comments Kimmel made regarding the recent killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The comments sparked backlash from critics, conservative groups, and even some ABC affiliates.
The controversy escalated to the point where the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) publicly addressed the matter, though the agency emphasized Kimmel’s suspension was not the result of government action.
In its statement, Disney said that the pause in production was meant to “lower the temperature” amid rising tensions and allow time for “meaningful conversations” with Kimmel about the fallout. The company acknowledged that while the comedian’s remarks were “ill-timed” and “insensitive” in the wake of Kirk’s death, they determined he should return to the airwaves.
Industry insiders note that ABC had been under mounting pressure from affiliate groups such as Nexstar, which called for the show to be pulled from schedules.
Despite the suspension, Disney’s decision to bring Kimmel back reflects both the show’s longstanding popularity and the network’s balancing act between corporate accountability and creative freedom.
Kimmel, who has hosted the late-night staple since 2003, has not yet publicly commented on the suspension or the show’s quick return.
