Jimmy Kimmel’s much heralded return to the airwaves finally happened. As expected, there has been significant gushing over Kimmel’s monologue. Among those gleefully squeeing, CNN Chief Media Analyst Brian Stelter.
Watch Stelter’s immediate reaction to the monologue, as aired on Laura Coates Live on Wednesday, January 24th, 2025:
CNN's Brian Stelter gushes over Kimmel return monologue:
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) September 24, 2025
BRIAN STELTER: No, no, this is just beginning. Because even though Kimmel is supposed to be and wants to be and tries to be a comedian, he doesn't really want this to be about him. He has been thrust into this bigger and… pic.twitter.com/LAcCTHP8PB
LAURA COATES: Brian, I want to begin with you here because Kimmel, he's back on air. He's striking an emotional yet matter-of-fact and forthright tone. Is this over?
BRIAN STELTER: No, no, this is just beginning. Because even though Kimmel is supposed to be and wants to be and tries to be a comedian, he doesn't really want this to be about him. He has been thrust into this bigger and frankly, more consequential role. He is acting tonight, and I think he will act in the days to come as a bit of a public servant, as an educator. He's trying to talk about free speech rights, not for late night talk show hosts, but for all Americans. And he really went there with this monologue, with this lengthy and emotional monologue following a multi minute long standing ovation that was so loud, one of the audience members said it hurt their eardrums. This was a comeback in every sense of the word for Jimmy Kimmel, and very much supported and approved by ABC and parent company Disney. So on the very same night that President Trump is threatening yet again to take action against ABC once again, you know, in- in nonsensical ways, claiming that he could try to punish ABC for broadcasting comedy, for broadcasting satire, you have Kimmel standing up and saying, “here's why dissent matters in America. Here's what makes America exceptional.” This is a fight that he wants to have, Laura. And it’s a fight that’s not going away.
To hear it from Stelter, Kimmel is this virtuous philosopher-king who is now stepping into the role of “educator” and “public servant”. The elite regime comic is now going to serve and educate YOU, you ungrateful rubes.
Stelter’s initial squeeing doesn’t address the substance of the monologue, and I’m not going to get into it beyond noting that Kimmel had a very low bar to clear: show a modicum of regret for smearing half the country by insisting, despite tons of available evidence to the contrary, that Charlie Kirk’s killer was part of “the MAGA gang”.
An actual apology would’ve gone a long way towards good will, and towards bringing the pre-empting affiliate groups back into the fold. Instead, Kimmel delivers a misdirective statement with no apology.
Stelter frames this as a triumphal return for Kimmel, “a comeback in every sense of the word”. Some may see it that way. Others, especially those expecting to see some act of contrition, will emerge disappointed and perhaps even angry. Stelter is right about this being “a fight that’s not going away.” Just not the fight he or Kimmel expected, which will continue.