Jimmy Kimmel thanks unlikely pair of Kentuckians in return to TV

KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — A couple of Kentucky lawmakers made the cut in Jimmy Kimmel’s first monologue since he returned to air.

The long-running late-night host came out to a standing ovation from fans of the show.

He choked up while explaining he never meant to mock Kirk’s death and spent part of his opening monologue thanking fellow comedians and lawmakers for their support during his suspension.

“I want to thank the people who don’t support my show and what I believe, but support my right to share those beliefs anyway. People who I never would have imagined, like Ben Shapiro, Clay Travis, Candace Owens, Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul, even my old pal Ted Cruz,” Kimmel said.

On Monday, Disney announced “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” would return to ABC’s lineup after “thoughtful conversations with Jimmy.”

In a statement shared with NewsNation on Monday, Disney said the decision to preempt the late-night show was “made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive.”

“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,” the statement read.

ABC suspended Kimmel’s show last week after Kimmel made multiple comments about Kirk’s death, who was assassinated on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University.

Our parent company, Nexstar Media Group, which also owns 28 ABC affiliates, has opted not to show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for the time being.

“We made a decision last week to preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel’s “ill-timed and insensitive” comments at a critical time in our national discourse.  We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve.  In the meantime, we note that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will be available nationwide on multiple Disney-owned streaming products, while our stations will focus on continuing to produce local news and other programming relevant to their respective markets,” a news release from Nexstar Media Group read.