Outlook Business Desk
Jimmy Kimmel, a veteran late-night host known for his sharp humor and political commentary, made a highly anticipated return to “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” after nearly a week-long suspension, drawing millions of viewers and boosting ABC’s ratings.
ABC reported that 6.26 million viewers tuned in to watch Kimmel, surpassing the show’s typical 1.42 million nightly audience, making it the highest-rated regularly scheduled episode in the show's long history.
Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue quickly went viral, drawing nearly 26 million views on social media, with 15.3 million on YouTube and 6.3 million on Instagram, showing his influence far beyond traditional TV audiences.
During his return, Kimmel used humor and sincerity to address prior remarks, featuring a clip of Donald Trump calling late night comedian as “no talent” with “no ratings,” to which Kimmel responded with a smiling, applause-filled rebuttal.
Kimmel’s suspension came after backlash on social media and pressure from the Trump administration, following his remarks about the man accused of targeting conservative activist Charlie Kirk, highlighting the tension between late-night hosts and political scrutiny.
Meanwhile, ABC’s parent company, Disney, cut short Kimmel’s suspension, signalling a high-profile act of corporate defiance against political pressure and regulatory threats, while protecting the network’s autonomy and upholding creative freedom in the face of external scrutiny.
Even though Kimmel’s suspension kept some ABC affiliates from airing the show, millions still tuned in. Social media buzz amplified his monologue, marking his influence both in late-night television and across online platforms.
Disney also felt pressure from Kimmel’s fans, with some cancelling their Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions. In his monologue, Kimmel joked that the company had asked him to read certain remarks, blending humour with a subtle nod to the situation.