The pressure was immense for Jimmy Kimmel’s first show back after ABC suspended him for comments he made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Instead of avoiding the topic, Kimmel tackled it directly. In his opening monologue on Tuesday night, he became emotional as he stated, “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.”

That was the only serious moment of the evening, as the rest of the show felt like a direct challenge to President Donald Trump, who had cheered Kimmel’s suspension on Truth Social and vowed to “test ABC on this.” Here are five highlights from the episode:

The Opening Bit
Kimmel cleverly addressed the high expectations by showing clips that exaggerated his suspension as “one of the most pivotal moments in broadcast history.” He then appeared in a monkey costume alongside sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez dressed as a banana. Their deadpan exchange was memorable: “Maybe we should…” “Change?” “Yeah.”

The Lengthy Standing Ovation
After weeks of political tension, it was heartening to see the audience give Kimmel a full minute of standing applause and chants of “Jimmy! Jimmy!” He joked as he took the stage, “As I was saying, before I was interrupted…”

Bipartisan Support
Kimmel acknowledged Senator Ted Cruz, who had given a cautious defense of him, saying, “I don’t think I’ve ever said this before, but Ted Cruz is right. Think about it, if Ted Cruz can’t speak freely, then he can’t cast spells on the Smurfs.” He also thanked conservatives like Ben Shapiro and Candace Owens for their support, noting that while he disagrees with them on many issues, it took courage for them to speak out against the administration.

A Shout-Out to Fellow Hosts
Kimmel expressed gratitude for the solidarity from other late-night personalities, naming Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, John Oliver, Conan O’Brien, James Corden, Arsenio Hall, Kathy Griffin, Wanda Sykes, and even Jay Leno. He mentioned hearing from hosts abroad, joking, “This country has become so authoritarian that Germany is like, ‘Come here!'” He also appreciated kind words from his idols Howard Stern and David Letterman, feeling honored to be part of such a supportive community.

Kimmel and Robert De Niro’s FCC Sketch
In a surprise cameo, Robert De Niro joined Kimmel to mock FCC chairman Brendan Carr’s recent threats. The sketch emphasized that Kimmel’s show is still not broadcast in 20% of the country, with De Niro declaring, “I am the [bleep] FCC, I can say whatever the [bleep] I want.” If only that were true!

Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Jimmy Kimmels Top 5 Highlights From His Late Night Comeback designed to be clear and conversational

FAQs Jimmy Kimmels Top 5 Comeback Highlights

Q1 What is this late night comeback everyone is talking about
A It refers to Jimmy Kimmels return to hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live after a severalmonth hiatus due to his sons heart surgery and his own recovery from a separate medical procedure

Q2 When did Jimmy Kimmel make his comeback
A He officially returned to the show on January 26 2023

Q3 What was the 1 highlight from his first show back
A The emotional and heartfelt opening monologue where he directly thanked everyone for their support and shared his personal experiences during his time away

Q4 Were there any surprise guests during his comeback episode
A Yes A major highlight was a surprise appearance by his cousin Sal Vulcano from Impractical Jokers who participated in a comedy bit

Q5 Did he address his health and family directly on the show
A Absolutely He spoke openly and honestly about his sons health and his own surgery making it a central and touching part of his return

Q6 What was a funny or lighthearted moment from the top 5 highlights
A A recurring funny bit involved him catching up on all the pop culture and news he missed offering his signature comedic take on events like the Will Smith Slap aftermath

Q7 How did the audience and critics react to his return
A The reaction was overwhelmingly positive with praise for his vulnerability humor and the seamless transition back into his hosting role

Q8 Where can I watch these highlights if I missed the episode
A You can find clips and segments on the official Jimmy Kimmel Live YouTube channel the ABC website and on various entertainment news platforms

Q9 Was his first guest a significant choice
A Yes his first guest was Jennifer Aniston a close friend and Alist star which helped set a warm and highprofile tone for the comeback