Jimmy Kimmel Live! is drawing record audiences after returning to ABC, with a new viral clip featuring Ethan Hawke “interrupting” the host’s monologue.
The show was suspended earlier in September after Kimmel criticised Donald Trump’s response to Charlie Kirk’s death, prompting backlash from FCC chairman Brendan Carr. Following this, affiliates Nexstar and Sinclair pre-empted the show, with ABC also halting broadcasts.
The move led to widespread criticism, including threats of a Disney boycott and an open letter signed by more than 400 celebrities in support of free speech.
Negotiations led to the show’s return on ABC, though Sinclair and Nexstar affiliates continue to block broadcasts. Last night’s episode featured a skit in which guest Ethan Hawke jokingly confronted Kimmel during his monologue, claiming he had signed the ACLU letter of support.
Kimmel thanked the signatories, which included Robert De Niro, Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, before Hawke appeared on stage. “I know I’m not supposed to be out here yet… what an honour it was to sign this letter,” Hawke said.
When Kimmel checked the document, Hawke’s name was missing. Playing into the gag, Hawke signed it on stage, quipping that he had intended to show support but compared the situation to betting “on a three-legged horse with broken ankles.”
Earlier in the broadcast, Kimmel addressed Trump’s Truth Social remarks about the show’s return. Trump wrote, “Let’s see how we do. Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 million dollars.” Kimmel replied, “Only Donald Trump would try to prove he wasn’t threatening ABC by threatening ABC.”
The monologue was uploaded to YouTube, surpassing 2.3 million views in six hours. Despite blackout areas, Nielsen reported that 6.26 million people tuned in on Tuesday, marking the show’s strongest linear TV performance in over a decade.
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