Kimmel's show to return after suspension over Kirk remarks

Jimmy Kimmel is coming back.

- John Koblin, Brooks Barnes, Michael M. Grynbaum and Benjamin Mullin

ABC said on Sept 22 that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would return on Sept 23, ending an impasse that began last week.

“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,” Walt Disney Co, which owns ABC, said in a 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.”

Disney did not say whether all ABC affiliates, some of which baulked at carrying Jimmy Kimmel Live! last week, would carry Sept 23’s show.