Jimmy Kimmel breaks silence ahead of his show’s return after suspension for Charlie Kirk comments: Live updates – UK Times

Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, has said Nexstar’s decision to keep Jimmy Kimmel’s show off its ABC-affiliate stations “reeks of corruption.”

When ABC decided to suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show last week, his fellow comedians came to his side.

Disney announced Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return Tuesday, but Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group have refused to air the late-night show on its ABC-affiliated stations.

Here is a list of ABC stations by state that are owned by Nexstar and Sinclair, as reported by The Wrap:

The Instagram account for Jimmy Kimmel Live! shared a photo Tuesday afternoon of the late-night comedian embracing show favorite, Guillermo.

“We are back full of love,” the post read.

Jimmy Kimmel may have been reinstated by ABC following a short-lived suspension, but the late night talk show will remain unavailable on some local networks as Nexstar Media joins Sinclair Inc in continuing to boycott the show.

Sinclair announced Monday that it would continue to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its affiliate networks over the host’s controversial Charlie Kirk comments.

“Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming,” the company shared on social media.

“Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return.”

On Tuesday, Nexstar indicated their intention to do the same, saying in a statement: “We made a decision last week to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel’s ‘ill-timed and insensitive’ comments at a critical time in our national discourse.

“We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve.”

Read more from Tom Murray and Kevin E G Perry:

Jimmy Kimmel has returned to social media for the first time since his late night show was taken off the air under controversial circumstances.

The host, 57, posted a photograph of himself with the late television writer Norman Lear, captioning the image: “Missing this guy today.”

The Instagram post serves as a tribute to the All In The Family creator, who died in December 2023 at the age of 101.

It could also be seen as a pointed message to Kimmel’s critics. Lear was an outspoken liberal activist who vocally defended the First Amendment, which enshrines the right to freedom of speech. He founded the progressive advocacy organization People for the American Way.

Kevin E G Perry goes in depth about the massive debate over free speech that Kimmel’s show suspension stirred:

Tonight, we will cover Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late-night TV.

ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely last week after comments the host made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

After an outcry over what critics of ABC’s decision called a violation of free speech, Disney, ABC’s parent company, announced Monday Kimmel’s show would return Tuesday.

Follow along to find out how Kimmel will address the recent controversy.