Jimmy Kimmel is back on air, and audiences are watching in record numbers. The first new episode since his suspension drew more than 6.3 million TV viewers and set new records online, even as dozens of ABC affiliates continued to block the broadcast.

The Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC, said it suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! “to avoid further inflaming a tense situation" in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s killing , which it described as “an emotional moment for our country." In a follow-up statement on Monday, Disney said Kimmel’s remarks had been “ill-timed and thus insensitive," but not malicious, and confirmed the decision to return the show after what it called “thoughtful conversations with Jimmy."

When he came back on air, Kimmel told viewers it was never his intention t

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