This week, Jimmy Kimmel finally returned to weekday late-night television after ABC lifted his suspension. His comeback episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! shattered records and reminded us why he’s been one of the most powerful voices in comedy for years.
ABC put Kimmel on a brief hiatus earlier this month after his controversial comments faced backlash. For a time, his fans weren’t even sure if he would be going back to his show. That uncertainty caused a lot of buzz, and when the network brought him back, there was huge curiosity to see what his show would look like this time.
The results were historic. Over 6.26 million viewers tuned in to Kimmel’s first night back, which was one of the highest-rated late-night episodes in years. Outside of the small screen, his opening monologue spread like wildfire online. The clip garnered nearly 26 million views in days on YouTube and social media platforms, a reminder of how Kimmel continues to have an outsize influence in the late-night universe.
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In his opening monologue, Kimmel joked about the controversy with irreverent humour — but he also alluded to the storm that precipitated his suspension. But rather than shy away, he leaned into it, poking fun at himself and his circumstances in a way that continued to have the audience laughing. The courageous step not only cleared the air but also rekindled his connection with fans.
