During Jimmy Fallon’s monologue Tuesday on The Tonight Show, the late-night host addressed the return of Jimmy Kimmel on ABC by saying, “If you’re tuning in to see what I’ll say about my suspension the last couple days, again, you’re watching the wrong Jimmy, dad. The other Jimmy, dad.”
Kimmel returned to ABC’s late-night lineup on Tuesday after the network lifted a near weeklong suspension imposed in the aftermath of Kimmel’s monologue about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The decision came amid widespread debate about freedom of speech and President Donald Trump’s influence on the media, with fellow late-night personality Fallon commenting publicly on the matter during Kimmel’s absence.
Two major ABC affiliates—Sinclair and Nexstar—announced they would not air Kimmel’s return, heightening tensions within the late-night television landscape.
Why It Matters
Kimmel’s suspension and return spotlighted deep divisions surrounding media commentary, freedom of expression and network decision-making.
The clash drew strong reactions not only from civil liberties advocates but also from entertainment industry peers and media watchdogs.
The support—and criticism—that followed Kimmel’s suspension underscored rising pressure on media companies to respond to outside influences, from regulators such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to audience boycotts and advertiser sensitivities. The role of other major hosts, including Fallon, became more prominent as discussions widened to the broader responsibilities and vulnerabilities faced by late-night hosts.
What To Know
Fallon’s remarks were anticipated by viewers following the intense scrutiny after the suspension of Kimmel last week.
ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 17 in response to comments Kimmel made during his monologue referencing the assassination of Kirk.
Kimmel suggested that some Trump supporters were characterizing the 31-year-old conservative activist’s death and suspect Tyler Robinson “disingenuously.”
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr called Kimmel’s remarks misleading and warned that media companies faced possible regulatory action if “conduct did not change.”
Kimmel’s silence following the suspension contrasted with widespread public reaction, including a letter signed by Tom Hanks, Barbra Streisand and others—circulated by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)—condemning ABC’s response.
Protests from viewers included subscription cancellations for Disney’s streaming services, while two ABC affiliates, Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, refused to broadcast Kimmel’s return, demanding assurances about future programming standards.
Fallon’s Role and Broader Late-Night Context
During the suspension, Fallon, host of NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, commented publicly on the turbulent climate for late-night hosts.
Like Kimmel and Stephen Colbert of The Late Show on CBS, Fallon has navigated controversies over politically charged material and shifting audience expectations.
Fallon has been hosting The Tonight Show since 2014 and is known for a lighter, music- and comedy-driven approach than many of his peers, although he has faced his own share of criticism for guest choices and engagement with divisive topics.
His response to the Kimmel suspension reflected solidarity within the late-night community and personal concern over the implications for creative freedom.
Late-night programs overall have suffered from declining viewership, attributed to changing viewer habits and the proliferation of streaming media.
Kimmel’s suspension placed new focus on the pressures facing late-night hosts, both from networks and external bodies like the FCC. Colbert, Seth Meyers, and others in the late-night field have openly discussed the struggle to balance topical humor with sensitivity to network standards and political divisions. Kimmel, whose contract with ABC reportedly runs through May, is expected to address the events directly during his return Tuesday night.
What People Are Saying
Hanks, in a statement issued as part of the ACLU letter: “This is not about agreement or disagreement—it’s about upholding the principle that humor and criticism should not be censored by those in power.”
A Nexstar Media Group spokesperson told the Associated Press: “We are seeking assurances that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue.”
Carr, in a public statement: “The FCC will continue to monitor media conduct and expects broadcasters to uphold standards of fair communication.”
What Happens Next
Kimmel is slated to address the suspension and controversy Tuesday, bringing on guests such as Sarah McLachlan, who protested his suspension, and actor Glen Powell.
The move by ABC to reinstate Kimmel, despite intense affiliate pushback, may set a precedent for future network handling of high-profile broadcast controversies.
Industry observers will be closely watching how Kimmel and his late-night counterparts approach sensitive political topics in the coming weeks as the debate over free speech, responsibility and entertainment continues within American television.
Read the full article here
