Jimmy Kimmel has criticized anti-American threats to free speech during an emotional return to late-night US television - following a brief suspension after his comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Through tears, the comedian said during Tuesday's comeback show that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.
Kimmel accused the head of the organization that regulates American TV of mob tactics, and poked fun at President Donald Trump's appearance at the UN - including an escalator mishap.
However, Tuesday's episode was not available to viewers in all markets, due to opposition from some local stations affiliated with Kimmel's network ABC, which reportedly account for about one in five of ABC's local stations in the US.
Trump had welcomed Kimmel's suspension and criticized the reinstatement, expressing disbelief that ABC had given Kimmel his job back.
Kimmel's broadcast had been pulled after his statements about the shooting of Kirk sparked an uproar. He had stated that Trump and his allies were desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and had likened Trump's reaction to Kirk's death to how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.
Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at a university event in Utah on 10 September, and Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with murder.
During his return show, Kimmel reiterated that he did not want to blame any specific group for Kirk's murder. He acknowledged that some found his previous comments either ill-timed or unclear.
Moreover, Kimmel praised Erika Kirk for forgiving her husband's alleged killer during a memorial service held over the weekend, describing it as a selfless act of grace.
Kimmel criticized Trump for inciting people to lose their livelihoods because he could not take a joke. Kimmel described this behavior as un-American and dangerous.
Kimmel's return to television received support from the entertainment community but faced criticism, leading to local TV stations run by affiliates Nexstar and Sinclair continuing to replace his show with alternative programming pending assurances for cultivating constructive dialogue.
Nexstar controls over 20% of ABC's affiliated television stations, and the network had faced significant backlash for suspending Kimmel, receiving support from lawmakers and free speech advocates.
Kimmel's situation underscored the ongoing debate over free speech in media and entertainment, with various public figures advocating for the freedom of expression within the comedic sphere.
