Jimmy Kimmel recently returned to his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and spoke from the heart. The 57-year-old host got emotional during his first monologue back on Tuesday, September 23rd. He had been off the air briefly from ABC. This break followed some controversial comments he made earlier in the month. Those remarks were about Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk.
"I never meant to make light of a young man’s murder," Kimmel explained. "I don’t find anything funny about it." He had even posted an Instagram message the day Charlie was killed. In it, he sent love to Charlie’s family and asked for compassion. "I meant it then. I still do," he stated. He also clarified that he didn’t mean to blame any specific group for the actions of a very troubled person. He actually wanted to make the opposite point.
Towards the end of his long monologue, Kimmel reacted to something truly moving. He saw Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, speak at her late husband’s funeral. The service took place on Sunday, September 21st, in Arizona.
"There was a moment this weekend, a truly beautiful moment, I don’t know if you saw it," Kimmel shared on Tuesday. "Erika Kirk forgave the man who shot her husband. She forgave him." He called it an example everyone should follow.
Erika Kirk at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images
He continued, "If you believe in the teachings of Jesus, as I do, there it was. That’s it." He described it as a selfless act of grace, forgiveness from a grieving widow. "It deeply moved me, and I hope it moves many others," he added. "If there’s one thing we should take from this tragedy to move forward, I hope that’s it."
During her emotional speech on Sunday, Erika had a message for 22-year-old Tyler Robinson. He turned himself in to authorities after being accused of shooting and killing Charlie at a Utah university on September 10th. Charlie was 31 years old.
"I forgive him because that is what Christ did," Erika stated. "The answer to hate is not hate." She encouraged those listening to follow her husband’s example. She also said, "Please be a leader worth following. Your wife is not your servant. Your wife is not your employee. Your wife is not your slave. She is your helper. You are not rivals. You are one flesh, working together for the glory of God."
Kimmel himself faced controversy for his own comments about Robinson. These were aired during the September 15th episode of his late-night show. An ABC spokesperson told a prominent news channel two days later that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be "suspended indefinitely." This was a direct response to Kimmel’s statements.
Other late-night hosts and Hollywood stars quickly showed their support for Kimmel after he left the network. On Monday, September 22nd, The Walt Disney Company announced plans for his return.
"Last Wednesday, we decided to suspend production of the show," a statement read. They wanted to avoid making a tense situation even worse during an emotional time for the country. "This was a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were untimely and therefore insensitive," the statement continued. "We have spent the last few days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those discussions, we decided to resume the show on Tuesday."
During his first monologue back, Kimmel thanked his loyal viewers. "You stood up for our show," he said. "You cared enough to do something about it and make your voices heard so mine could be heard too, and I will never forget that."