Jimmy Kimmel is set to return to late-night television on ABC, a decision made by Disney and ABC after his show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” was temporarily taken off air for an indefinite period. The suspension followed a monologue by Kimmel where he made remarks tied to the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, discussing theories about his death and joking about President Trump’s response to it. Disney stated that the initial decision to suspend production was made to avoid further inflaming a tense situation, deeming some comments ill-timed and insensitive. However, after thoughtful conversations with Kimmel, the company decided to reinstate the show.

The controversy began after Kimmel’s monologue last Monday. He offended conservatives by discussing theories regarding Kirk’s death, caused by an assassin, and sarcastically commented on President Trump’s reaction, who pivoted to discussing a new White House ballroom. Following these remarks, major station owners Nexstar Media and Sinclair announced they would pre-empt his program. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Brendan Carr further fueled the situation by suggesting broadcasters should curb Kimmel, stating, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct and take action, frankly, on Kimmel or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.” Hours after Carr’s podcast comments, Nexstar pulled the show, leading ABC to halt production.

Disney’s move to bench one of its prominent personalities sparked widespread protest from the creative community and First Amendment advocates. On Monday, over 400 celebrities, including notable figures like Martin Short and Tom Hanks, signed a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), decrying the maneuver as a blow to free speech in America. First Amendment advocates from both political spectrums voiced their condemnation. Just an hour before ABC announced Kimmel’s return, a group of politicians and Hollywood guild leaders held a press conference and rally in front of the show’s Hollywood studio, urging Disney to bring the show back. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Calif. District 30) emphasized that the First Amendment protects all speech, not just that favored by the President, and that the FCC's job is to protect Americans, not the President's ego. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif. District 32) highlighted the hypocrisy of muzzling Kimmel while lauded Charlie Kirk as a free speech absolutist. Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif. District 32) accused President Trump of leveraging federal government power to silence critics, noting Nexstar’s need for FCC approval for a significant merger as a potential factor in their swift compliance. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) warned against kneeling to such coercion, citing a Supreme Court decision against government officials forcing third parties to suppress views. Other speakers included leaders from the Writers Guild of America-West, DGA, AFM, IATSE, and SAG-AFTRA.

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the only Democrat currently serving, publicly supported Disney’s decision to resume production, expressing gratitude to Americans across the ideological spectrum who spoke out against what she called a “blatant attempt to silence free speech” and “government intimidation.” Her statement directly contrasted with Chairman Brendan Carr’s stance, who is a Donald Trump appointee. Even some Republican politicians, including Ted Cruz and Rand Paul, disagreed with Carr’s approach, though they also criticized Kimmel’s initial comments.

The decision to bring Kimmel back was approved by Disney CEO Bob Iger and co-chair of Disney Entertainment Dana Walden, who reportedly acted based on company best interests, independent of external pressures. However, it remains uncertain if all ABC affiliates, particularly those owned by Nexstar and Sinclair, will air the program. Kimmel’s return on Tuesday night is anticipated as a significant television event. Observers suggest Kimmel will need to demonstrate sensitivity while maintaining his signature comedic bite and humor. His past ability to navigate personal and public crises, such as discussing his son Billy’s congenital heart defect or handling the 2017 Oscar broadcast error, positions him as capable of managing this new challenge. It is crucial that his return feels authentic and not forced, allowing him to remain his own man, a quality exemplified by his past willingness to needle his own bosses at ABC. This incident also casts a new light on the increasing uncertainty faced by traditional media companies amidst governmental scrutiny and political pushback, as exemplified by President Trump’s past lawsuits against ABC News and CBS News. The broader landscape of late-night TV is evolving, with audiences dwindling and political humor driving social media engagement but leading to content like Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” on CBS being canceled by Paramount, amidst suspicions of a shift away from political sniping towards a more conservative base.