The ‘Late Show’ host championed the ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ host after the suspension was lifted.
News Writer, Parade
Sep 25, 2025 9:39 AM EDT
Stephen Colbert issued a direct response to Jimmy Kimmel‘s monologue during the record-breaking return of Jimmy Kimmel Live! after the late-night show’s suspension.
On the Wednesday, Sept. 24 episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Colbert, 61, praised Kimmel’s message during his emotional opening monologue the night before.
“I’m in a good mood because last night, our friend, Jimmy Kimmel, returned to television,” he said as the studio audience erupted into cheers. “I’m just so proud of him. So proud to know that man.”
Colbert continued, “Jimmy spoke beautifully about free speech and unity. He made great jokes, showed his deep emotions. He got huge ratings. It did so well that Disney just announced next summer they’re releasing Guillermo & Stitch—live action.
To close his remarks on the topic, Colbert pointed out, “Kimmel’s return was also on YouTube. Right now, his monologue is on track to break his personal record, with 12 million views in 12 million hours. Congrats, Jimmy!”
According to Nielsen, Tuesday night’s episode broke records despite not being shown in a quarter of U.S. TV households.
During Kimmel’s emotional Sept. 23 monologue, he said in part, “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.”
Kimmel explained, “I posted a message on Instagram on the day he was killed, sending love to his family and asking for compassion—and I meant it; I still do. Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what—it was obviously a deeply disturbed individual. That was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make. But I understand that to some, that felt either ill-timed or unclear, or maybe both. And for those who think I did point a finger, I get why you’re upset. If the situation was reversed, there’s a good chance I’d have felt the same way.”
Related: The View’s Joy Behar Sends Bold Message About Jimmy Kimmel Live! Returning After Suspension
On Sept. 17, ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! “indefinitely” after Kimmel’s Sept. remarks following the fatal shooting of conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, 31, who was killed while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
“We had some new lows over the weekend,” he said on Jimmy Kimmel Live! “With the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and with everything they can to score political points from it.”
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