Stephen Colbert celebrates Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension being lifted: “This is wonderful news”
Stephen Colbert has celebrated the news of Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension being lifted by ABC and him returning to the air, saying, “This is wonderful news.”
It was revealed on September 22nd, less than a week after being pulled from his talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live due to his criticism of Donald Trump’s response to the death of Charlie Kirk, the host would return to his slot from September 23rd, prompting celebration across the entertainment industry.
Throughout his suspension, Colbert has been one of Kimmel’s most prominent supporters within the late night sphere. Going to air last night shortly after the news of his return to ABC, Colbert said of Kimmel: “Just a few hours before we taped this broadcast, we got word that our long national late nightmare is over because Disney announced Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to air.”
He added: “This is wonderful news for my dear friend Jimmy and his staff. I am so happy for them. Plus, now that Jimmy’s not being cancelled, I get to enjoy this again,” holding up his award that his show recently won at the Emmys.
Colbert then joked: “Once more, I am the only martyr in late-night. Wait, unless, CBS, you want to announce anything?,” referencing the fact that his own show, The Late Show, is set to be cancelled in May next year.
The cancellation of Kimmel’s show was met with uproar across the industry, with many branding it an attack on free speech as Trump celebrated its downfall.
On September 22nd, a huge open letter signed by over 400 stars – including Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, and Tom Hanks – was published on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union, supporting Kimmel’s right to free speech.
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