Following its temporary suspension, Jimmy Kimmel Live! hit a ratings high on his Tuesday night return.
According to Reuters, the show reached a 10-year ratings high among adult viewers with 6.26 million viewers watching.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! reached the ratings milestone, while not being aired in about one-quarter of American households. Several ABC affiliates in several major markets did not carry the show after parent company Walt Disney lifted Kimmel’s suspension.
During his emotional monologue, Kimmel expressed his gratitude to his supporters and noted the importance of free speech.
“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,” Kimmel said.
“This show is not important,” he continued. “What’s important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.”
Kimmel admitted that he disagreed with Disney’s decision to pull his show. But he also thanked the company for defending his right to make jokes about political figures for 22 years.
“Unfortunately, and I think unjustly, this puts them at risk,” Mr. Kimmel said. “The president of the United States made it very clear he wants to see me and the hundreds of people who work here fired from our jobs. Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke.”
Kimmel also praised Kirk’s widow, Erika, for forgiving her husband’s killer.
It touched me deeply,” Mr. Kimmel said, his voice hoarse. “If there’s anything we should take from this tragedy to carry forward, I hope it can be that, and not this.”
In a surprise cameo, Robert De Niro appeared as a mob boss who has taken over the F.C.C.
“I am the new chairman of the FCC,” De Niro said.
“It seems like the FCC is using mob tactics to suppress free speech,” Kimmel said.
“What the f‑‑‑ did you just say to me?” De Niro responded.