NEW YORK (AP) — Jimmy Kimmel returned triumphantly to late-night television this week, addressing the shocking killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and honoring his widow in an emotional monologue that resonated deeply with audiences.
Kimmel, who faced a suspension after the incident, received a warm welcome back, with nearly 8 million viewers tuning in to watch his first episode since the controversy unfolded. Typically, Kimmel's nightly viewership hovers around 1.8 million.
In a heartfelt moment, Kimmel noted, “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. I don’t think there’s anything funny about it.” He described Kirk’s widow, Erika, as having performed a “selfless act of grace” by publicly forgiving her husband's killer.
While Kimmel expressed his sincere apologies regarding the misunderstanding, he levied humorous but pointed criticism toward former President Donald Trump. “He tried to cancel me, but instead he brought millions of people to my show. That’s a major backfire,” Kimmel joked, further asserting the unpredictable nature of comedy in today's politically charged environment.
Despite the controversy, opinions on Kimmel's comeback were divided. Andrew Kolvet, spokesperson for Kirk's organization, argued that Kimmel's monologue lacked adequate apology, while comedian Ben Stiller praised it as “brilliant.”
The situation has sparked significant discourse around freedom of speech, as well as the role of comedians in political discourse. Trump's criticisms of Kimmel's return echoed across social media sites, highlighting the evolving dynamics between humor and political consequence.
Kimmel's return culminated in a standing ovation from the audience, many of whom were visibly moved by his commentary on grief and forgiveness.
