Jimmy Kimmel’s show will return to ABC on Tuesday, nearly a week after its suspension following backlash over the host’s comments regarding the murder of Charlie Kirk.
The decision came after discussions with the host and the Walt Disney Company, which acknowledged that the comments were unfortunate.
“We spent the last few days having serious discussions with Jimmy and, following these conversations, we decided to return the show on Tuesday,” Disney said in a statement.
ABC’s decision to suspend the show followed threats from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr, who said he would revoke the network’s local station licenses if ABC did not take action over the host’s comments, which he described as “the sickest behavior possible.”
Among other things, Kimmel had criticized what he had called the “MAGA gang,” saying they were trying to portray Charlie Kirk’s killer, Tyler Robinson, “as anything other than one of their own, attempting to gain political points from it.”
ABC’s suspension of the show was condemned by unions, liberal lawmakers, and left-wing Hollywood figures.
On the other hand, some conservatives celebrated ABC’s decision. US President Donald Trump stated last Thursday that the host was fired due to “bad ratings” after saying “something terrible about a great gentleman, like Charlie Kirk.”
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