Jimmy Kimmel has returned to "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" almost a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the killing of Charlie Kirk.
In his Sept. 23 episode, the late-night TV show host addressed the suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" for the first time after remaining silent amid a wave of backlash against ABC and its parent company, Disney.
During his nearly 18-minute opening monologue, the Emmy-winning comedian teared up while recounting the support he received and echoing sentiments about the necessity for free speech. "This show is not important," Kimmel said at one point. "What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this."
Visibly emotional, Kimmel also addressed the comments about Kirk, the conservative podcaster's politics, and the Republican Party that prompted outrage. "It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man," he said, teary-eyed. "Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what was obviously a deeply disturbed individual."
Here's what he said on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
