Jimmy Kimmel makes an emotional return
Comedian Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show has been reinstated by Disney after a brief suspension triggered by his controversial monologue on 15 September about the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kimmel criticised former President Donald Trump and allies for "desperately trying to characterise" Kirk's killer as unrelated to their movement, likening Trump's reaction to "how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish."
The remarks drew fierce criticism from broadcaster Jimmy Carr and pressure from ABC affiliates, prompting the network to "indefinitely" suspend the show. The decision sparked backlash from lawmakers, unions, and free speech advocates, alongside celebrity-led campaigns against Disney.
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Kimmel's fellow late-night hosts, including Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, and Seth Meyers, publicly backed him.
Disney's reinstatement of the programme has not ended the controversy, with media watchdogs warning that similar suspensions could chill political satire on American television. For now, Kimmel's return underscores the fragile balance networks must strike between creative freedom and corporate responsibility.
