Jimmy Kimmel Live! returns: Host breaks down about death of Charlie Kirk, Donald Trump issues threat

An emotional Jimmy Kimmel has returned to US TV screens, welcomed by a near one-minute standing ovation before delivering a 28 minute opening monologue.

Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which was pulled off the air “indefinitely” after controversial comments about Charlie Kirk, returned with the award-winning host in true Kimmel style.

A cold opener started the show, which featured a super-cut of news reports about Kimmel’s return, before the camera panned to the host and his co-star Guillermo Rodriguez dressed as a giant banana and a beaver, with the two saying the needed to “change” outfits.

After the opener played, Kimmel, appearing to hold back tears, was applauded for almost a full minute before he could speak.

“I’m happy to be here with you tonight,” Kimmel said.

“I’m not sure who had a weirder 48 hours, me or the CEO of Tylenol,” he joked.

“I’ve heard from a lot of people over the last six days.

“The guy who fired me from my first radio job in Seattle, where we are not airing tonight.... even he wrote in to cheer me up.”

Kimmel called out Stephen Colbert, John Stewart, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, John Oliver, Conan O’Brien, James Corden and others, thanking them for the support they gave him since he was pulled off air.

The host revealed he has heard from TV hosts in other country, including one in Germany who offered him a job.

“The guy in Germany offered me a job. Can you imagine this country has become so authoritarian the Germans are like, come here,” he joked.

Becoming more serious, Kimmel thanked his audience before.

“I also want to thank all of you,” he said as he began to cry.

“Thanks to those who supported out show, cared enough to do something about it, to make your voices heard so that mince could be heard.

“I will never forget it.

“Weirdly, maybe most of all, I want to thank the people who don’t support my show and what I believe but support my right to share those beliefs anyway. People who I never would have imagined like Ben Shapiro, Clay Travis, Candace Owens, Mitch McConnell,” he said, continuing to list off names who had supported his free speech.

Kimmel said those people, who are mostly staunch Republicans, showed great courage speaking out in support of free speech.

“I’ve been hearing a lot about what I need to say or do tonight,” Kimmel said.

“The truth is, I don’t think what I have to say is going to make much of a difference. If you like me, you like me, if you don’t you don’t.”

Jimmy Kimmel acknowledges death of Charlie Kirk

Kimmel said he wanted to make something clear about the death of Charlie Kirk, because “it is important to me as a human”.

“It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” he said, breaking down.

“I don’t think there’s anything funny about it. I posted a message about it on Instagram the day he was killed, sending love to his family and asking for compassion and I meant it. I still do.

“Nor was it my intention to blame a specific group for the actions of what.. it is obviously a deeply disturbed individual... that was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make.

“I understand that to some, that feels ill-timed or unclear, or maybe both.

“For those who think I did point a finger, I get why you are upset.”

Kimmel said he has many friends and family “on the other side” who he loves, regardless of their differing political views.

“I don’t think the murderer who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone. This was a sick person who believed violence is a solution, and it isn’t,” he said.

“This show is not important. What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.”

Kimmel spoke about other hosts he has met from Russia or the Middle East, saying they wished they had free speech.

“I want you to think about this.. should the government be allowed to regulate which podcasts the cell phone companies or Wi-Fi providers are allowed to let you download to make sure they serve the public interest? You think that sounds crazy?”

Kimmel went on to thank ABC and Disney, who he says supported him, adding Mr Trump wants to see his show, and similar late night shows, taken off air because he “can’t take a joke.”

Donald Trump threatens ABC over Jimmy Kimmel return

Just minutes before Jimmy Kimmel Live! was scheduled to return, US President Donald Trump issued an ominous threat.

“I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back,” Mr Trump wrote.

“The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled!

“Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his ‘talent’ was never there.

“Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE.

“He is yet another arm of the DNC and, to the best of my knowledge, that would be a major Illegal Campaign Contribution.

“I think we’re going to test ABC out on this.

“Let’s see how we do. Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 Million Dollars.

“This one sounds even more lucrative. A true bunch of losers! Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Ratings.”

On social media, the Jimmy Kimmel Live! Instagram shared a photo of Kimmel and show star Guillermo Rodriguez hugging, writing: “We are back full of love.”

Ahead of the return, around 20 per cent of ABC stations, owned/ ran as affiliate stations, announced they would not be airing the reinstated Kimmel on Tuesday night (US time).