Stephen Colbert celebrated the end of Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension with a mix of relief and humor, using the moment to make a lighthearted jab at his own show’s upcoming cancellation. The reinstatement of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” after a nearly weeklong suspension became a major topic across late-night television, highlighting a broader conversation about free speech and media pressure.
Colbert’s On-Air Reaction
On the September 22 episode of The Late Show, Stephen Colbert opened his monologue with positive news. “We do, like, 160 of these a year or something and when I have the chance, it’s always nice to start the show with some good news,” Colbert said. “Just a few hours before we tape this broadcast, we got word that our long national late nightmare is over, because Disney announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to air on ABC tomorrow, Tuesday night” .
Colbert described the news as “wonderful” for his friend and the show’s staff. He then grabbed his recently won Emmy Award and joked, “Plus, now that Jimmy’s not being canceled, I get to enjoy this again. Once more, I am the only martyr in late nights. Wait, unless CBS, you want to announce anything?” . This quip was a direct reference to the previously announced cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which will end after the current season .
Colbert also commented on the public backlash that contributed to ABC’s decision, noting a spike in people searching how to cancel Disney+ and Hulu. He humorously added that a similar spike was seen in people searching for “how to entertain feral child without Bluey” .
The Context of Kimmel’s Suspension and Reinstatement
Jimmy Kimmel’s show was suspended by ABC on September 18, 2025, following comments he made about the political fallout from the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk . In his monologue, Kimmel had stated that “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk” and were “desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them” .
The suspension drew immediate criticism from fellow late-night hosts, free speech advocates, and a wide range of public figures. The American Civil Liberties Union organized an open letter signed by over 430 artists, including Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, and Robert De Niro, calling the suspension “a dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation” .
ABC announced Kimmel’s reinstatement on September 22, stating, “We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday” . The network explained the initial suspension was made because they felt some of Kimmel’s comments were “ill-timed and thus insensitive” .
Other Late-Night Hosts Weigh In
The suspension and reinstatement were also addressed by other prominent hosts, who framed it as a free speech issue.
- Seth Meyers: On Late Night, Meyers expressed relief at Kimmel’s return, noting the “massive national backlash to Trump’s crackdown on free speech, even among conservatives” . He criticized the administration’s tactics, stating, “the president publicly naming a lot of people he wants to put in jail is a bad thing” .
- Jon Stewart: On The Daily Show, Stewart joked, “Jimmy Kimmel’s flying high like Advil today,” referencing a separate news item about Tylenol. He then congratulated viewers who protested the suspension by threatening to cancel Disney streaming services .
- John Oliver: On Last Week Tonight, Oliver delivered a nearly 30-minute segment criticizing FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and warning about the implications of government pressure on media. He told Disney CEO Bob Iger that “giving the bully your lunch money doesn’t make him go away. It just makes him come back hungrier each time” .
Kimmel’s Emotional Return
When Jimmy Kimmel returned to the air on September 23, he was met with a long standing ovation . In an emotional monologue, he clarified his earlier remarks. “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” Kimmel said. “I don’t think there’s anything funny about it” .
He thanked his supporters, including those who are not fans of his comedy but defended his right to free speech, specifically mentioning Senator Ted Cruz. “It takes courage for them to speak out against this administration,” Kimmel said. “They did and they deserve credit for it” .
Kimmel also grew emotional while praising Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika, for her public forgiveness of the shooter. “That is an example we should follow,” he said. “If you believe in the teachings of Jesus as I do, there it was… A selfless act of grace, forgiveness from a grieving widow. It touched me deeply” .
Despite the reinstatement, two major ABC affiliate owners, Sinclair and Nexstar, which control about a quarter of ABC stations, continued to block the show from airing in their markets, including cities like Portland, Seattle, and Washington D.C. .
Also Read: Stephen Colbert Wins Emmy Award For Outstanding Talk Series After CBS Cancels The Late Show
Credits: The Hollywood Reporter, The Guardian
