US TV host Jimmy Kimmel has show reinstated

US TV host Jimmy Kimmel has had his show reinstated following widespread criticism and claims of government censorship, including from a host of Hollywood stars.

Kimmel’s late-night chat show was taken off air following comments he made last week about the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The decision by US network ABC to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its schedules had led to widespread criticism from big names including Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro, Ben Affleck and Tom Hanks.

It was also signed by British stars including Florence Pugh and Alan Cumming.

ABC announced on Monday that it will reinstate the show.

In a statement to media, it said: “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.”

More than 430 film, TV and stage stars as well as comedians, directors and writers had added their names to an open letter from the American Civil Liberties Union, describing the matter as “a dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation”.

“Regardless of our political affiliation, or whether we engage in politics or not, we all love our country,” the letter had said.

“We also share the belief that our voices should never be silenced by those in power – because if it happens to one of us, it happens to all of us.

“This is the moment to defend free speech across our nation.”

Former president Barack Obama had also suggested the issue was “precisely the kind of government coercion that the First Amendment was designed to prevent”.

And the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra) issued a statement saying: “The decision to suspend airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! is the type of suppression and retaliation that endangers everyone’s freedoms.”

But US President Donald Trump had suggested that if any TV networks only give him bad press “maybe their licence should be taken away”.

In an address to the audience during his show last week, Kimmel had said the “Maga gang are desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them”.

Mr Kirk, who was a prominent political commentator in the US and ally of the president, was shot dead at a Utah Valley University event last week.

Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged and could face the death penalty if convicted of killing Mr Kirk.

Kimmel’s contract with The Walt Disney Co-owned network had been set to expire in May 2026.