ABC’s is set to resume airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! tonight, less than a week after deciding to suspend production of the show following pressure from the FCC and local affiliates over comments he made about the shooting death of political activist Charlie Kirk. The move caused a national firestorm. But throughout all the debate, one person who had stayed largely silent in public was Jimmy Kimmel himself.
With the comedian’s show set to return tonight, that changed. And his message, while perhaps unexpected for some fans, was clear.
Kimmel Pays Tribute to Norman Lear
Kimmel opted to share a photo of himself with television icon Norman Lear, who passed away in 2023. The caption was simple: “Missing this guy today.”
Lear spent his career at the front lines of the debate over television content. He created and produced dozens of TV shows, including the likes of All in the Family, Maude, Good Times, The Jeffersons, and more. Beyond ratings success, many of his shows were known for touching on hot-button social issues.
In 1976, Lear and the Writer’s Guild of America won a First Amendment lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission, which had declared all television programing that aired between 7 and 9 p.m. must be suitable for all audiences. The policy, known as “Family Viewing Hour,” was struck down by the courts, a major victory. He also appeared on Richard Nixon’s infamous Enemies List.
Kimmel Previously Paid Tribute to Lear
Kimmel paid tribute to Lear upon his death in 2023, saying that “everyone who works in or even watches television owes him a great debt.” This includes Kimmel, who had worked with Lear on a number of television projects in the final years of his life.
Kimmel Returns to the Air Tonight, But Not Everywhere
ABC confirmed that it had resumed production of Jimmy Kimmel Live! after “several thoughtful conversations” with him. But local affiliate channels from two major media companies—Sinclair and Nextstar—have announced that they will continue to preempt the program in favor of local news content, at least for the time being.
Here’s how to stream the show tonight, even if you don’t have a cable subscription.
