Stephen Colbert says the "long national late-nightmare is over" as Jimmy Kimmel is set to return

Speaking on The Late Show, Colbert said: "We do, like, 160 of these a year or something, and when I have the chance, it's always nice to start the show with some good news.

"Well, just a few hours before we taped this broadcast, we got word that our long national late-nightmare is over, because Disney announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to air on ABC tomorrow, Tuesday night.

"Come on! Wonderful news for my dear friend Jimmy and his amazing staff."

Colbert had previously referred to the decision to take Kimmel's show off air early last week as "blatant censorship".

The host - whose own programme is due to end next year - had said: "Tonight, we are all Jimmy Kimmel.

"Yesterday, after threats from Trump's FCC Chair, ABC yanked Kimmel off the air indefinitely. That is blatant censorship.

"It always starts small. Remember, in week one of his presidency, call it Gulf of America. Sure, seems harmless, but with an autocrat, you cannot give an inch.

"If ABC thinks that this is going to satisfy the regime, they are woefully naïve."

Jimmy Kimmel Live! was put on "indefinite" pause last week following comments the host had made about the killing of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, prompting a backlash and allegations of freedom of speech being suppressed.

On Monday (22.09.25), the Walt Disney Company confirmed the programme would return to the airwaves.

They said in a statement: "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. 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."