Stephen Colbert Welcomes Jimmy Kimmel Back Amid Controversy
UPDATE: Late-night television took a dramatic turn as Stephen Colbert welcomed Jimmy Kimmel back on air after a brief suspension, declaring himself the “only martyr in late night.” The announcement comes just days after Disney reinstated Kimmel’s show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, which had been pulled from the schedule due to controversial comments made by Kimmel.
In his opening monologue on Thursday, Colbert expressed relief mixed with humor. “Just a few hours before we taped this broadcast, we got word that our long national late-night nightmare is over,” he announced, eliciting cheers from the audience. “Disney announced that ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ will return to air on ABC tomorrow, Tuesday night.”
The turmoil began last Wednesday when Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, criticized Kimmel’s remarks regarding the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. This led to Disney’s abrupt decision to suspend Kimmel’s show, igniting backlash from Hollywood and political figures who viewed the move as a crackdown on free speech.
Colbert did not hold back, calling Disney’s initial suspension a “blatant assault on the freedom of speech.” However, Disney quickly reversed its decision, stating they had engaged in “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel before deciding to bring the show back on air.
In a lighthearted jab at his own situation, Colbert remarked that he would be “the only martyr in late night,” referencing CBS’s announcement that his show would be canceled in May 2026. “Unless, wait, CBS, you want to announce anything?” he joked, prompting laughter from the crowd.
The controversy surrounding Kimmel’s suspension has sparked significant discussion about the role of late-night television in political discourse. Fellow late-night host Jon Stewart also weighed in, crediting public outcry for Kimmel’s return and urging Americans to “fight like hell for this constitutional republic.”
As this story continues to unfold, viewers are left questioning the implications of such decisions on freedom of speech and the future of late-night programming. With Kimmel set to return, the dynamics of late-night television are sure to remain a hot topic.
Stay tuned for further developments in this evolving situation.
