After nearly a week of uncertainty, Jimmy Kimmel Live! is back — and it’s returning with a lineup as eclectic as the controversy that sidelined the show in the first place. On Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, the late-night staple will air its first new episode since ABC announced an “indefinite” suspension less than a week earlier.

The comeback, announced just one day before airtime, follows tense days of speculation about whether ABC would permanently cut ties with Kimmel after FCC pressure and affiliate threats over his Sept. 15 monologue about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. While the political fallout dominated headlines, ABC’s reversal has shifted attention to the show’s revival — and the unexpected guest list that will help mark the occasion.

Glenn Powell Takes Center Stage

First up is Glenn Powell, the Golden Globe–nominated actor whose career has exploded since his breakout turn as Hangman in Top Gun: Maverick. Powell arrives to promote Chad Powers, a Hulu sports comedy series he co-created and stars in. Based on Eli Manning’s viral alter ego, the series premieres Sept. 30 and features Powell in a satirical look at college football culture.

Powell has become one of the busiest actors in Hollywood, with recent credits ranging from romantic comedy (Anyone But You) to action spectacle (Twisters). He’s also set to headline The Running Man, a reimagining of Stephen King’s dystopian thriller. For ABC, his presence is a reminder that late-night shows remain valuable platforms for buzzy streaming debuts.

Sarah McLachlan Brings Music and Memory

The comeback episode will also feature Sarah McLachlan, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter whose influence on music and live performance is still resonant decades after she founded the Lilith Fair festival. McLachlan will discuss Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery, an ABC News documentary released Sept. 21 that chronicles the history and legacy of the female-fronted music festival that shattered industry barriers in the late 1990s.

Adding to the timeliness, McLachlan has just released her 10th studio album, Better Broken (Sept. 19), her first in nearly a decade. She’s expected to reflect not only on her new music but also on the political and social conversations Lilith Fair sparked — a fitting parallel given the free-speech storm surrounding Kimmel himself.

A Full Week of Heavy Hitters

Deadline has reported that Kimmel’s first week back will be loaded with talent across genres:

Ethan Hawke, promoting FX’s The Lowdown.

Lisa Ann Walter, fan-favorite from Abbott Elementary.

Peyton Manning, who has a guest role in Powell’s Chad Powers.

Oscar Nuñez, the Office alum returning to TV in The Paper.

Musical performances from Yungblud and Alex G, both known for blending genre experimentation with loyal fan bases.

The diverse guest list is no accident. ABC appears intent on re-establishing Jimmy Kimmel Live! as a mainstream showcase that balances Hollywood prestige, musical discovery, and cultural commentary.

How Late-Night Handles High-Stakes Returns

Kimmel isn’t the first late-night host to face the daunting task of returning after controversy, suspension, or cultural upheaval. History offers several parallels:

David Letterman after 9/11 (2001): Letterman’s emotional monologue when his show returned was praised for balancing humor and solemnity. It became a template for how late-night could handle tragedy.

Conan O’Brien after the Tonight Show debacle (2010): When Conan launched his TBS show, he leaned into self-deprecating humor about NBC’s decision to push him out. His honesty won over fans.

Bill Maher after Politically Incorrect (2002): Following his cancellation on ABC, Maher returned with Real Time on HBO, where he has thrived for 20+ years, embracing his role as a provocateur unbound by network rules.

Jon Stewart after the writers’ strike (2008): Stewart’s Daily Show return emphasized solidarity with staff while still keeping the political jokes flowing, underlining how late-night reflects larger labor and cultural battles.

Kimmel’s situation is unique: his suspension was triggered not by ratings or scandal, but by political pressure. His return, then, carries symbolic weight about whether satire and dissent can still survive on broadcast television.

What Will Kimmel Say?

The most anticipated moment of Tuesday’s episode isn’t the celebrity interviews or musical performances — it’s Kimmel’s monologue.

Several paths are possible:

The comic route: Kimmel could make light of the ordeal, poking fun at the FCC, Trump, and even himself. This would align with his long-standing style of using humor as armor.

The sober route: He could address the controversy directly, stressing the importance of free speech and defending his comments. This would resonate with critics of ABC’s decision but risk reigniting political backlash.

The hybrid route: The likeliest outcome may be a blend — jokes upfront, then a serious acknowledgment of the broader implications for speech, before pivoting back to entertainment.

No matter the approach, Kimmel’s first words back will be scrutinized not just as comedy, but as cultural commentary.

The Broader Stakes

Kimmel’s suspension sparked widespread backlash:

Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, and Jon Stewart all defended him, framing the suspension as censorship.

Jay Leno, despite a long-running feud with Kimmel, surprised many by supporting him as well.

Labor unions including the WGA and SAG-AFTRA issued statements condemning the suspension as chilling to free speech.

Over 400 celebrities and the ACLU signed an open letter urging Disney to reinstate Kimmel.

ABC’s decision to reverse itself after less than a week underscores both the backlash and the fragility of corporate decision-making when politics and entertainment collide.

Conclusion: A Return Bigger Than Late-Night

When Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs Tuesday night, it won’t just mark the return of a talk show — it will be a test of whether broadcast networks are willing to stand by their talent under political fire.

By booking unexpected guests like Glenn Powell and Sarah McLachlan, ABC is signaling that it wants to focus on entertainment and cultural relevance. But for viewers, the real spotlight will be on Kimmel himself, and how he navigates one of the most surreal weeks of his career.

Whatever tone he strikes, his comeback episode will be remembered as more than just television. It’s a case study in how satire, politics, and corporate caution collide — and how one host responds when his voice is briefly silenced.