Jimmy Kimmel made an emotional return to his late-night talk show on Tuesday, September 23, six days after ABC suspended the show indefinitely — and stars around the world are celebrating.
Kimmel, 57, opened Tuesday’s return episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! by thanking his viewers, allies, fellow late-night talk show hosts and even his critics for supporting him over the last week. Kimmel’s show was “indefinitely” pre-empted by ABC on September 17 following right-wing criticism over his remarks about the suspect in the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
“I’m happy to be here tonight with you. I’m not sure who had a weirder 48 hours: me or the CEO of Tylenol,” Kimmel quipped. “It’s been overwhelming. I’ve heard from a lot of people over the last six days. I’ve hard from all the people in the last six days. Everyone I have ever known has reached out 10 or 11 times. Characters from my past, the guy who fired me from my first radio job in Seattle — where we are not airing tonight, by the way — his name is Larry.”
“You supported our show cared enough to do something about it to make your voices heard so that mine could be heard and I will never forget it,” he continued, going on to thank the likes of Ben Shapiro and Candace Owens, who he said he “never imagined” receiving support from.
Support for Kimmel continued across social media on Tuesday night as his first show back from suspension aired on ABC. Ben Stiller, Jennifer Aniston and more celebrated his return.
Keep scrolling to see what stars have said about Kimmel’s return:
Ben Stiller
“What a brilliant monologue from Jimmy Kimmel,” the actor write in an X post.
Jennifer Aniston
The Friends star reposted a photo of Kimmel backstage shared by the Jimmy Kimmel Live! Instagram account to her Instagram Story and added a red heart emoji over it.
Stephen Colbert
“Welcome back, brother! ❤️” the Late Show’s official Instagram account commented on an Instagram post of Kimmel standing under an “On Air” sign on Tuesday.
Walton Goggins
The White Lotus actor commented on the same post, Go get em Jimmy…. You Redwood you 🌲🌲🌲.”
Rove McManus
The Australian talk show host commented, “Welcome back 👊🏻.”
Don Lemon
“It was fantastic. I think he was right on. He hit the right tone. That’s a pro,” Lemon said in a reaction video shared on Instagram. “And all those people who were cheering for him to be fired or suspended, shame on you.”
Rosie O’Donnell
The comedian shared some words of encouragement to Kimmel before Tuesday’s taping. Commenting on Kimmel’s Instagram post in which he shared a picture of him alongside the late Norman Lear, O’Donnell wrote, “Kill it tonight – feel all the love ❤️.”
Helen Hunt
“Go go go👏👏👏,” the Oscar winner encouraged Kimmel in the comments of the same post.
Justin Theroux
Theroux commented under the picture of Kimmel and Lear: “Awww. That good man. Now go get em meathead! 🙌”
Alyssa Milano
“I can honestly say, his legacy lives on and he would’ve been very proud of how you’ve used your platform and navigated that last week,” Milano also commented under the photo of Kimmel and Lear. “You’re a national treasure. Thank you for risking it all.”
Cary Elwes
“He is very proud of you for sure… 🙏,” the actor wrote under the same post.
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