Published: 7:08am, 25 Sep 2025Updated: 7:12am, 25 Sep 2025
Millions of people tuned in to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday, watching the host’s return to late-night television after nearly a week off the air due to a suspension over remarks that drew fire from US President Donald Trump and officials in his administration.
Advertisement
ABC said 6.26 million viewers watched Kimmel as he mixed humour with humility to address remarks he made on September 15 about the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
It was Kimmel’s highest-rated regularly scheduled episode in more than a decade even though it did not air in about 23 per cent of television households in the US.
On social media, the monologue attracted nearly 26 million views, ABC reported, including 15.3 million views on Alphabet’s YouTube, and another 6.3 million on Meta’s Instagram by late Wednesday afternoon.
ABC affiliates in several major markets did not carry the show, which aired hours after network parent Walt Disney lifted Kimmel’s suspension.
Advertisement
His monologue featured video of Trump speaking from Air Force One, saying the late-night comedian has “no talent” and “no ratings”. “Well, I do tonight!” said a smiling Kimmel, as the studio audience stood in applause. “You almost have to feel sorry for him.”