Jimmy Kimmel returns to social media after ABC suspension

Jimmy Kimmel returned to social media for the first time since his talk show was suspended to share a post about the late Norman Lear.

“Missing this guy today,” the comedian captioned the post on Instagram Tuesday.

In the photo, Kimmel placed his arm around Lear, who died in December 2023 at age 101, as they smiled for the camera.

During a 2023 episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” Kimmel, 57, paid tribute to the legendary TV producer, calling him “not only a giant in the world of television, but a great man who was one of the most important and impressive people I ever had the pleasure of meeting.”

“He changed situation comedy in the best possible way,” the “Boss Baby” voice actor added.

“He taught us so much about so many serious things, always making us laugh while he did it, and everyone who works in or even watches television owes him a great debt. Especially me.”

Lear, who was best known for creating the comedy series “All in the Family,” famously spoke out against the Federal Communications Commission’s rulings during his career.

In 1976, the “Good Times” co-creator was one of several stars who signed a lawsuit against the federal agency’s ruling about “family viewing time,” which required programming between 7 to 9 p.m. ET to be suitable for all ages. 

Kimmel’s notable post with Lear comes hours before his late-night talk show is set to return to TV.

On Monday, the Walt Disney Company issued a statement, confirming that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” would be back on air Tuesday.

“Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,” the company explained in the statement. 

“It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive. We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.”

Kimmel’s show was suspended last week after he briefly discussed Charlie Kirk’s death during his monologue. The right-wing political activist was shot and killed on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. He was 31.

“The MAGA gang are desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said at the time.

Sinclair, the media company that operates as the largest ABC affiliate group, demanded Kimmel issue an on-air apology to Kirk’s family and donate to the late podcaster’s non-profit organization, Turning Point USA, to keep the talk show on the air.

However, the former “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” host reportedly refused.

Kimmel reportedly decided to return to the air for the sake of his staffers.