By Sarah Whitten

Copyright cnbc

“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” returns to air Tuesday night, roughly one week after the late night show was suspended by Disney’s ABC broadcast network.

The program was initially pulled “indefinitely” following comments by host Kimmel during a show monologue that criticized President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement for their reaction to conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s killing.

The media industry, fans and critics are eagerly awaiting the comedian’s pre-taped monologue as it will be the first time he had publicly addressed the matter.

Earlier Tuesday, Kimmel’s show posted a photo to Instagram with the caption, “We are back full of love.” Kimmel’s personal account posted a photo of the host with the late screenwriter Norman Lear, who in 1981 founded People For The American Way, an organization dedicated to First Amendment rights.

Ahead of the show’s taping, protesters and supporters appeared outside the El Capitan Entertainment Centre in Hollywood.

“He should be off the air for another full week if not a full month to think about what he said,” Perry Caravello, a YouTuber who was protesting Kimmel’s return to air, told CNBC outside the studio Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Gregg Donovan, who donned a black top hat and red blazer, carried a laminated sign welcoming Kimmel back.

“This is America,” he said. “I don’t think free speech will ever really be threatened.”

Live audience members were ushered inside quickly. Doors to the theater were expected to close at 4:30 p.m. PT with taping scheduled to begin at 4:45 p.m. PT. However, NBC News reported Kimmel didn’t take the stage until closer to 6 p.m. PT. The taping typically takes 90 minutes.