Late night host Jimmy Kimmel returned to television after a controversial suspension, and now word is coming out about what happened when he did.
According to NBC News, the show opened with “a montage of clips of a frenzied media coverage about the late night host’s monologue.” The camera then cut to Kimmel “dressed as a bear and Guillermo Rodriguez dressed as a banana,” NBC reported.
“Maybe we should … change?” they said, according to NBC.
Multiple show guests shed more light on what Kimmel said in the monologue.
Jimmy Kimmel Mentioned Erika Kirk, But He Didn’t Apologize, Show Guests Said
Kathy Hopkins, of Burbank, spoke to Deadline. She said that he brought up the affiliates who refused to run his show, and he indicated that his in-laws couldn’t watch the show because of where they live.
“He was still Jimmy. He was very sweet. Took it seriously. Made it clear what he wanted it for the country. Made it clear what he felt for Erika Kirk,” she said.
“I’ve been to shows before, and honestly this one just felt different,” Hopkins told CNN. “You could tell they were being very careful about where they went with it.”
Kathy, an audience member from the taping of tonight’s ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ show in Hollywood, shares insight with Deadline’s Anthony D’Alessandro (@AwardsTony) about Kimmel’s return and remarks pic.twitter.com/PieQXQVbcT
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) September 24, 2025
According to Daily Beast, Kimmel mentioned the president, and another man who was at the show said, “He actually had some tears in his eyes.” He didn’t apologize, that site also reported.
“It was just standing ovation after standing ovation,” Veronica Ament told CNBC. “My voice is almost gone.”
Kimmel “wanted to reiterate that he never meant any ill will from what he said, and he wasn’t targeting any certain group when he made his joke,” Ament said to NBC.
Jimmy Kimmel Received Such Loud Audience Support That It Was ‘Ear Damaging,’ an Audience Member Said
Kimmel received so much support from the audience that “it was ear damaging to be honest,” Kevin Winhard said to CNN.
Dean Springs, of Los Angeles, told NBC that Kimmel’s monologue was “heartfelt” but not an apology.
“I think he acknowledged how the other side felt, he put himself out there, he was definitely a little emotional. Honestly, it was pretty unifying. I don’t think the other side can get mad,” Springs told the network.
