Jimmy Kimmel ’s return to ABC on Tuesday night drew one of the largest audiences for “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in a decade, nearly four times his usual viewership, despite more than 20% of affiliates pre-empting the show, according to preliminary Nielsen data. The episode averaged 6.2 million viewers, while the monologue’s online reach nearly reached 26 million views across YouTube and social media, according to news agency Reuters. Kimmel’s return came after ABC and parent company Disney suspended his show on September 17 following controversy over comments he made regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The suspension prompted public debate about free speech and accusations of government overreach, after the Trump administration and FCC Chair Brendan Carr

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