Jimmy Kimmel was brought back on air on Tuesday night, following his suspension last week for making jokes relating to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Disney, which owns ABC, suspended Jimmy Kimel Live! on Wednesday, explaining subsequently that some of his remarks “were ill-timed and thus insensitive.”
Returning to TV on Tuesday night, Kimmel described government threats to silence comedians as “anti American”.
“This show is not important” the comic said in his first monologue since his late-night show resumed. “What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.”
What did the comic do to get pushed off air in the first place? Here’s everything we know.
What happened and what did he say to get cancelled?
Days after the murder of Charlie Kirk, Kimmel delivered a monologue relating to the political right’s response to his killing.
He said that the "MAGA gang" was "desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it".
He added that they were "working very hard to capitalise on the murder".
Kimmel also played a clip of Trump being asked how he was "holding up" by a reporter two days after Kirk's shooting. The president responded that he was doing "very good", then changed the subject to the construction being completed for the White House’s new ballroom.
Kimmel joked: "He's at the fourth stage of grief: construction.
"This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish," he said.
The comic also alluded to hypocrisies relating to the political right’s criticism of the “far left”.
He said that JD Vance's claims that "most of the lunatics in American politics today are proud members of the far left" were "complete bull****”, drawing attention to the Capitol rioters who “wanted to hang” Mike Pence for certifying Joe Biden’s 2020 election win.
"Was that the liberal left?” Kimmel said, “Or the toothless army who stormed the Capitol on January 6?"
Why was he taken off air?
On 17 September, Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the organisation that issues broadcasting licenses in the US, said that there were “remedies” the FCC could explore.
"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," Carr said in relation to removing Jimmy Kimmel Live! on a podcast hosted by Benny Johnson. “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 later, Nexstar and Sinclair, companies that own numerous local stations associated with the ABC network said that they would stop airing the show.
An ABC spokesperson then said that the show would be taken off air “indefinitely”, without immediately elaborating on the decision.
On 22 September, Disney released a statement about the show’s suspension, explaining that the decision was made “to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country.”
The statement added: “It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive”.
Why was he brought back on air?
Disney’s statement also informed viewers that Kimmel’s late-night show would be back on air.
“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 statement said.
The decision comes amidst fierce debates about free speech sparked by the comic’s departure and threats by the FCC to revoke ABC’s broadcast license.
The Writers Guild of America West and Writers Guild of America East said in a joint statement: "Shame on those in government who forget this founding truth. As for our employers, our words have made you rich. Silencing us impoverishes the whole world."
Refuse Fascism hosted a protest outside the El Capitan Entertainment Centre on Thursday, where the show is usually filmed.
What did he say on his return?
Kimmel returned with an emotional monologue on Tuesday, commenting on his initial “insensitive” comments and the importance of free speech.
He said he understood why his remarks seemed “ill-timed, or unclear, or maybe both.”
“It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” Kimmel said, choking up.
He said he did not want to blame any specific group for Kirk's murder, and praised Erika Kirk for forgiving her late husband's alleged killer. "It was a selfless act of grace... that touched me deeply," Kimmel said.
On the topic of free speech, the comic had stern words. He said: “A government threat to silence a comedian the president doesn’t like is anti-American.”
“I want to thank the people who don’t support my show and what I believe, but support my right to share those beliefs anyway,” he said.
