Shockwaves are rippling through the late-night TV world — Jimmy Kimmel Live! is coming back on air, and even some of Kimmel’s closest former colleagues can’t believe it. But here’s where it gets controversial: just last week, ABC had suspended the show indefinitely after Kimmel’s on-air remarks about the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, leaving many convinced the program was finished for good.
Ned Rice, who once wrote for Kimmel’s show, told The Hollywood Reporter he was floored by the news. “I would have bet a lot of money this was over,” he said. “Once you announce a suspension, it’s rare for everyone to just patch things up and say, ‘Let’s give it another go.’”
The suspension stemmed from Kimmel’s September 15 episode, where he criticized MAGA Republicans for trying to distance themselves from Kirk’s alleged killer, Tyler Robinson. The controversy escalated when FCC chairman Brendan Carr weighed in during a podcast appearance, prompting major TV station groups Nexstar and Sinclair to threaten pulling the show from their markets. ABC responded by announcing an indefinite suspension — a move that sparked a fierce backlash.
Protests erupted outside Disney’s studio lot, and Hollywood figures flooded social media urging fans to cancel subscriptions to Disney+ and Hulu. Even former Disney CEO Michael Eisner publicly questioned the decision. Among the protesters was Joe Strazzullo, a Kimmel writer for six years until 2021, who said, “As a WGA member, I know the importance of solidarity. Bullies are why many of us became comedy writers. I’m thrilled my friends at Jimmy Kimmel Live! are going back to work.”
Supporters are framing the show’s return as a win for free speech. Still, there’s an uncomfortable truth lurking in the background: late-night TV is struggling. Ratings are down, and networks are questioning whether these shows are worth the cost. CBS’ Late Show With Stephen Colbert was recently canceled, sparking speculation about political motives ahead of the Paramount–Skydance merger.
Rice, who has written for Bill Maher, Jay Leno, and Craig Ferguson, suspects ABC may have seen the suspension as a convenient way to part with Kimmel. “People just don’t watch these shows anymore,” he said. “It could have been a way to kill two birds with one stone. But Tuesday’s episode? That’s going to be a real TV moment.”
Not everyone will get to see it, though. Nexstar and Sinclair are refusing to air the comeback episode, blacking it out on about a quarter of ABC stations. One former Kimmel writer, speaking anonymously, noted, “The Tonight Show has been around for 71 years, telling jokes about 13 presidents — and only one has tried to take down all of late night.” On Sinclair’s conservative leanings, they added, “People can just Google Sinclair and see what they’re about.”
Kimmel’s ABC contract ends in May, and he’s hinted before at retirement. Rice expects him to keep delivering the same sharp political jabs as always — “It would be crazy to change now” — but worries about a cultural shift where comedy loses its bite against those in power. “Americans love topical humor,” he said. “We love jokes about presidents, celebrities, and current events. If late night fades away, something else will have to take its place.”
So here’s the question: is this a triumphant return for free expression, or just a temporary reprieve for a fading TV format? And if late-night comedy really is dying, what should replace it? Let’s hear your take.
