Kimmel Returns: Big Broadcast Numbers and Massive Social Reach
Jimmy Kimmel Monologue – Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late night after a near weeklong suspension pulled in the show’s highest ratings in a decade, Disney said. About 6.26 million people tuned in to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday — roughly triple the show’s average — even though roughly a quarter of ABC stations in the U.S. did not air the episode. Disney also reported 26 million views of Kimmel’s emotional 28-minute monologue across social media.
Nielsen compiled the initial broadcast figures; they do not include streaming viewership and are expected to rise as more data is collected. By comparison, Jimmy Kimmel Live! averaged 1.42 million viewers across the 2024–2025 season.
Why Kimmel Was Suspended and What He Said on Return
ABC and Disney suspended Kimmel after comments he made about the man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk. On the Sept. 15 show, Kimmel said President Donald Trump and his allies were “desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them” and likened Trump’s reaction to “how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
During his return, Kimmel became emotional and insisted it “was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.” He also accused Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr of using “mob tactics” and criticized Trump for openly calling for fellow late-night hosts to be fired. Kimmel said Trump “celebrates people losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke,” calling that “un-American” and “dangerous.”
Mixed Reactions to the Kimmel Monologue
Public reaction to the kimmel monologue was split. Some praised the speech as moving and historic; others called it inauthentic or insufficient.
Support and praise:
- Actor Ben Stiller and other celebrity backers lauded the “brilliant” and “moving” monologue. More than 400 celebrities signed an open letter from the ACLU in support of Kimmel before his return.
Criticism and skepticism:
- Donald Trump and others criticized ABC for reinstating Kimmel.
- Donald Trump Jr. condemned Kimmel for not labeling the suspect a leftist.
- Media figures such as Piers Morgan and Megyn Kelly accused Kimmel of “crocodile tears” or “self pity.”
- Sean Spicer noted Kimmel hadn’t offered an apology for his Kirk comments.
- Rob Schneider, a vocal Trump supporter, said Kimmel “lied again” in the monologue.
- Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet argued Kimmel should have offered a full apology for suggesting the suspected killer was a MAGA supporter.
The Monologue’s Format and Length — Different Accounts
Reports describe the opening monologue in varying ways. Disney highlighted a 28-minute emotional piece that reached millions online, while other accounts noted the opening monologue lasted nearly 18 minutes and mixed humor, emotion and a call to action. Regardless of the exact runtime, the segment became the focal point of national debate over broadcast speech and the show’s suspension.
What This Means for Ratings and Free Speech Debate
Kimmel’s return produced the show’s best audience numbers in a decade and a viral social-media reach. At the same time, the episode reignited debates about free speech, broadcast standards and political pressure — especially after FCC chairman Brendan Carr warned of potential action against ABC and Disney. Kimmel accused Carr of overreach; critics saw the suspension and return as either necessary accountability or an overreaction, depending on their perspective.
Takeaway
Jimmy Kimmel’s comeback monologue combined high emotion, direct criticism of political figures, and a huge media footprint. It’s 6.26 million linear viewers and 26 million social views as reported by Disney and Nielsen. The speech won celebrity defenders, drew harsh rebukes from political and media figures, and left the broader free-speech conversation very much alive.
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