The votes are in, and America has made its feelings abundantly clear: Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late-night television is a resounding success. Following a tumultuous period that saw his show temporarily pulled from the airwaves, a wave of public support has lifted the comedian to an enviable position, far outstripping his critics’ hopes of a quiet exit.
The original buzz surrounding his comeback episode wasn’t just chatter; it translated into record breaking viewership. Kimmel’s return episode of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* scored a phenomenal 6.3 million viewers, quadrupling his typical audience. This ratings surge, in an era of declining linear television viewership, was the show’s highest in more than a decade, proving that the public was deeply invested in his reappearance.
The astonishing numbers arrived despite a significant handicap. In a dramatic turn of events, nearly a quarter of US households were unable to tune in via traditional television. Major affiliate owners, including Nexstar and Sinclair, preempted the broadcast in a blackout that affected millions of homes. The unprecedented attention and cultural conversation surrounding the controversy, however, seems to have turned a corporate maneuver into a public rallying point for the late-night host.
The “return” in question followed an indefinite suspension by ABC over comments Kimmel made regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The host used his return monologue to deliver a powerful, 28-minute address that was part defense, part comedy, and part cultural statement, acknowledging the controversy while also defending free speech and his right to political commentary.
Beyond the ratings, a recent YouGov poll cemented the public’s clear support for Kimmel. The October 2025 survey revealed that Kimmel’s net favorability rating stood at +3, placing him a whopping 16 points ahead of former President Donald Trump. Trump, a frequent target of Kimmel’s jokes, had publicly pressured ABC to cancel the show, a move the late-night host playfully pointed out only boosted his popularity. Kimmel himself responded to the poll with his trademark humor, quipping that he was surprised his rating wasn’t higher considering his non-felon status.
The entire ordeal has transformed Kimmel from a long-running late-night fixture into a major focal point in the national debate over free speech, political comedy, and media influence. His emotional return, followed by a sustained surge in popularity, underscores a powerful message: When a comedian is pushed off the air, the audience often pushes back, demanding their favorite voices be heard. It appears Jimmy Kimmel is not only back, he is a central, and newly energized, player in the cultural landscape.