Jimmy Kimmel’s return to national broadcast television was never going to be quiet — and Monday night proved just how sharp he can be when he’s back on all stations. As Jimmy Kimmel Live! resumed on ABC networks across the country, Kimmel used his opening monologue to go after Vice President J.D. Vance in a way that’s already dominating headlines. What began as a headline-grabbing suspension has turned into one of the most tense clashes between late-night and the political establishment yet.

From Suspension to Resurgence: The Context

Earlier this month, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was pulled from the air by ABC following backlash over some politically charged jokes Kimmel made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. That decision was met with fierce criticism over free speech and governmental pressure on broadcasters.

After being off the air for several days, the show came back — but not without strings. Key affiliates such as Nexstar and Sinclair initially chose not to carry the return broadcast, citing concerns over content and ratings. In many markets, Kimmel’s return was still blocked, a move that left viewers wondering: was the fight over a comedian or over who gets to control what the public sees?

Despite this, Kimmel didn’t walk into his comeback apologetically. Instead, he leaned into the controversy — and turned the stage toward one of his sharpest critics in the government: Vice President J.D. Vance.

The Roast Heard ‘Round the Studios

In his monologue taped at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Kimmel didn’t hold back. He mocked Vance’s recent comments about Kimmel’s ratings and the reason for the show’s preemption, joking that the vice president had launched “a new fairy tale even a 5-year-old wouldn’t believe.”

He introduced Vance as “Vice President Maybelline,” leveling a jab at the vice president’s appearance and referencing a cosmetic brand as a punchline. (Yes—Kimmel went there.)

Kimmel also turned Vance’s own words against him. When Vance had defended the network suspensions by citing Kimmel’s supposed low ratings, Kimmel shot back: “My ratings aren’t very good?” he said. The audience booed, and he replied: “Last time I checked, your ratings are somewhere between a hair in your salad and chlamydia.” Ouch.

And he didn’t stop there. Kimmel quipped that if Vance and the president keep this up, they may find themselves doing makeup tutorials on YouTube, and asked the crowd: “How did we wind up with a president and vice president who wear more makeup than Kylie Jenner and Lady Gaga combined?”

Politics, Power & Broadcast Control

This isn’t just late-night humor — it’s a flashpoint in an escalating debate over media independence, regulatory pressure, and political influence.

One key tension: Vance and Kimmel’s clash is happening in a climate where the FCC has threatened broadcasters over content deemed controversial. Critics argue that once the government starts leaning into what can or cannot be aired, it’s a slippery slope toward censorship of dissenting voices.

Vance, for his part, has suggested that broadcast networks should answer for whether they deserve licenses — implying that if a network doesn’t serve the public interest, it shouldn’t have access to the public airwaves. With Kimmel’s show in the crosshairs, that’s now not just rhetoric — it’s a live experiment.

In choosing to directly mock Vance and turn the tables, Kimmel is signaling he won’t be sidelined quietly. He’s framing this as more than a fight over comedy — it’s about who gets covered, who gets silenced, and how the public’s airwaves are used.

The Stakes Are Personal, Political, and Public

This showdown plays out on multiple levels:

For Kimmel, his comeback is more than a return to TV — it’s a statement. By refusing to soften his tone, he’s showing that he still sees himself as a comedian with a platform, not a commentator walking on eggshells.
For Vance, this is a test of whether political leaders can influence what appears on national television — especially when that content is critical of them.
For the public, it raises real questions: When a comedian mocks a vice president on his show, is that entertainment, or is it part of how political narratives are shaped? When stations refuse to air a program, is that a business decision — or a political one?

And more broadly: in an era of polarized media, when does satire become too dangerous for those in power to allow?

Will Kimmel Stay on Every Airwaves?

Even though Kimmel announced his return “on all stations,” the reality is messier. While some broadcasters reversed earlier decisions and resumed airing the show, Nexstar and Sinclair had initially held firm in their refusal to carry the program.

The struggle continues. Kimmel may be back on many screens, but in dozens of markets he remains blocked — a reminder that control over the narrative doesn’t come easily, even for a talk show host with national reach.

What Comes Next

Will Vance respond directly to the monologue? (Given the mockery he endured, it wouldn’t be surprising.)
Will broadcast groups double down on refusing Kimmel’s show in certain markets?
Will the FCC or Congress revisit rules about what content networks must carry?
Will comedy shows going forward play more cautiously — or see this as a rallying cry to push harder?

For now, Jimmy Kimmel is using his comeback not just to reclaim his seat — but to light a fire under the question of who controls what we see and hear.

Final Thought

Jimmy Kimmel’s return wasn’t a safe bet. It was a showdown. In mocking a vice president who had openly criticized him — in turning political pressure into punchlines — he reasserted that late-night can be more than jokes: it can be a platform for resistance.

And make no mistake: some will laugh, some will cringe, and others will see this as a turning point. Because in this moment — one of broadcast control, political pressure, and comedic courage — the airwaves feel less like television and more like battle lines.

If you think words don’t matter anymore… watch what happens now.