Jimmy Kimmel welcomed by Late Night Show team with ‘standing ovation'

Jimmy Kimmel made his return to late-night television this week after his ABC show was briefly suspended, receiving an emotional welcome from his staff. 

A team member from Jimmy Kimmel Live! told PEOPLE that the day back at work was “very emotional,” describing how Kimmel was met with a "standing ovation" during rehearsal ahead of his first show back on Tuesday, September 23. 

“Everyone was very happy, relieved and excited for tonight’s show,” the staffer said.

The return came less than a week after ABC announced it was “indefinitely” pulling the show following comments Kimmel made about late conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. 

During his September 15 monologue, Kimmel criticized how the incident surrounding Kirk’s killing was being politicized, while also taking aim at former President Donald Trump’s response. 

“Yes, he’s at the fourth stage of grief: construction,” Kimmel joked after showing a clip of Trump discussing the White House’s new ballroom while being asked about Kirk’s death.

The remarks drew backlash, including from FCC chairman Brendan Carr, who labeled them “truly sick” and warned ABC’s parent company Disney to take action.

Several affiliate groups, including Nexstar and Sinclair, stopped airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! in protest. 

Sinclair even demanded that Kimmel apologize directly to the Kirk family and make a donation to Kirk’s nonprofit Turning Point USA before his show could air again.

On September 17, ABC announced the suspension, explaining in a later statement that the decision was made “to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country.” 

Disney added that some of Kimmel’s comments were seen as “ill-timed and thus insensitive.”

The move drew strong reactions, from Trump, who claimed Kimmel was “fired for lack of talent,” to Hollywood figures and fellow late-night hosts, who rallied behind him. 

After days of uncertainty, the network confirmed on September 22 that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would resume production.

Kimmel has stayed mostly quiet through the controversy, only returning to social media on September 23 to post a photo with the late Norman Lear, captioned, “Missing the guy today.” 

His co-host Guillermo Rodriguez also celebrated the comeback, writing on Instagram, “We are back full of love.”

Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. ET on ABC.