Disney announced it will return Jimmy Kimmel Live! to ABC on Tuesday following nearly a week of suspension over controversial remarks.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the network pulled the late-night show indefinitely on September 17. The decision was made after Kimmel suggested the man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, 22-year-old Tyler James Robinson, was part of the “MAGA gang.”
“Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country. It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive. We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday,” Disney said in a statement, according to Fox News.
Disney executives Bob Iger and Dana Walden met with Kimmel before informing him Monday that his show would return, CNBC reported.
The suspension came after Nexstar Media Group, which owns multiple ABC affiliates, announced its stations would preempt the show. Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr also suggested ABC’s broadcast license could be at risk. “We’re not done yet” with changes to the media landscape, Carr told CNBC.
Disney said it suspended the show to defuse tension, while critics accused regulators and affiliates of yielding to political pressure. Kimmel has not apologized for his remarks, according to Fox News.
The comedian is expected to directly address the suspension when Jimmy Kimmel Live! returns Tuesday night.