After a week of broadcasts following ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, it appears the network’s controversial pre-emption was unexpectedly beneficial for both the host and his fans. It’s certainly no secret that Jimmy Kimmel’s post-suspension ratings were the highest they’ve been in some time, but that was also fairly predictable after Kimmel became a global symbol of free expression.
Following the announcement of Jimmy Kimmel’s return to all network affiliate stations that previously chose to continue banning the show in several major cities, many of Kimmel’s fans comfortably believe his battle is as good as done. Trump’s threats to sue ABC may cast doubt on those assumptions, but Kimmel himself no longer appears to be taking anything for granted.
Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC Return Was His Best Episode Of Trump’s Second Term
When Kimmel neglected to make a statement ahead of his highly anticipated return, he put more importance than ever on what he’d say within his first few minutes back on air. Interpretations that he’d assigned specific viewpoints to Charlie Kirk’s murder were always debatable, but Jimmy Kimmel’s return monologue left no room for doubt. With visible emotion, the host clarified:
“I don’t think the murderer who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone. This was a sick person who believed violence was a solution, but it isn’t.”
But, while it was important for Kimmel to clarify his statement and remark on the free speech implications of the FCC’s threat to pull the network’s license if he wasn’t suspended, he didn’t forget that part of his job is to incite laughter. Whether serious or comedic, every line of Kimmel’s return was both written and delivered with impactful purpose.
The first 28 minutes of Kimmel’s show ranged from thoughtful discussions on the state of politics to the host essentially writing a love letter to his career through anecdotes about other hosts he’s met and a humorous chestnut about his first radio firing. This was capped off by a Ted Cruz-inspired sketch featuring a guest appearance by Robert De Niro.
With politics out of the way, Kimmel moved on to his hilarious interview with Glen Powell and a moving performance by Sarah McLachlan, proving recent events wouldn’t distract him from doing business as usual. But there was something new in his demeanor that hadn’t been present for months, a manner of conduct he’s continued to maintain in every broadcast since.
Why Jimmy Kimmel Live! Hasn’t Felt The Same For The Past Eight Months
Despite having previously extended his contract until May of 2026, rumors that Kimmel is retiring from Jimmy Kimmel Live! began early in 2024 when Kimmel said he was done being the center of attention and wanted to spend time on other pursuits. He further detailed how he thought allowing his ABC contract to expire might prevent a lifetime of regret:
“I don’t know exactly what I will do. It might not be anything that anyone other than me is aware of. I have a lot of hobbies—I love to cook, I love to draw, I imagine myself learning to do sculptures. I know that when I die, if I’m fortunate enough to die on my own terms in my own bed, I’m going to think, ‘Oh, I was never able to get to this, and I was never able to get to that.’ I just know it about myself.”
The possibility of Kimmel retiring after more than 20 years quickly led to conversations about the potential death of late-night TV at large, but it was hard not to notice changes in Jimmy Kimmel Live! following his statements. Kimmel himself even said in his return monologue that he’d been taking the show for granted prior to his suspension from ABC.
“[Hosts in the Middle East] know how lucky we are here. Our freedom to speak is what they admire most about this country. And that’s something I’m embarrassed to say I took for granted until they pulled my friend Stephen off the air and tried to coerce the affiliates who run our show in the cities that you live in to take my show off the air.”
His reference to Stephen Colbert’s cancelation by CBS makes it clear he’s framing the conversation politically, but free speech isn’t the only thing he’s seemed to take for granted. The host who made peak content during Trump’s first term, ignited an iconic feud with Matt Damon, and crafts some of the better post-monologue segments on late-night has appeared increasingly deflated.
It’s easy to guess why. While Kimmel reacted to Trump’s first election with a humorous sketch in which he and Guillermo symbolically burn their campaign coverage aimed at both Trump and Clinton, he famously cried on air in response to Trump’s second victory. It’s hard to enjoy watching a man make punchlines about something he blatantly doesn’t find funny anymore.
ABC Pre-Empting Jimmy Kimmel Created Late-Night’s Most Impassioned Host
One of the greatest ironies of Kimmel’s previously dwindling passion for late-night hosting and musings on retirement is that, if the FCC wanted him gone, Kimmel might have taken himself off the air within just eight months when his contract expires. Instead, his ABC return week saw him take the stage with a fire lit under him like never before.
Summer guests hosts Diego Luna and Alan Cumming both gave impassioned monologues, respectively concerning hostile immigration enforcement and LGBT discrimination, two issues that directly affect their communities. Kimmel is now likewise commenting on issues that have impacted him directly, and he’s suggested in the nights since his return that he doesn’t have any intention to start pulling his punches now.
“I talk about Trump more than anything because he’s a bully. I don’t like bullies. I played the clarinet in high school.”
Those punches haven’t landed softly, either. Compared to Luna and Cumming, Kimmel’s hosting experience adds extra polish to the articulation of his insights in a way nobody could have expected back when he was famous for giving away Ben Stein’s money and drinking beer with scantily clad trampolinists.
But he’s not just focusing his passion on politics. Since returning to ABC, Kimmel’s interacted directly with the audience, affectionately shouted out his staff and the texts they received during suspension, and recalled classic bits like the ongoing Damon feud and Michael J. Fox’s memorable Jimmy Kimmel Live! cameo as Marty McFly.
Even simple moments, like his pride upon seeing his team’s finished “don’t take Tylenol” supercut, have demonstrated that Kimmel appears to feel more connection to his show than he has in some time. Jon Stewart’s reaction to Kimmel’s suspension still proves him unmatched in terms of political discourse, but Kimmel’s nipping at his heels in terms of sheer entertainment.
Just as his post-suspension ratings boost will likely be temporary, there’s no telling how long Jimmy Kimmel Live! will benefit from the host’s regained enthusiasm. But, if this man who not long ago considered walking away from late-night altogether has the contractual option, we just may see him stick around for at least the next three years.
Enjoy ScreenRant’s primetime coverage? Click below to sign up for our weekly Network TV newsletter (make sure to check “Network TV” in your preferences) and get the inside scoop from actors and showrunners on your favorite series.