Jimmy Kimmel sheds 64% of audience after short-lived ratings spike following suspension

Jimmy Kimmel’s ratings spike was short-lived.

Disney briefly suspended ABC’s “ Jimmy Kimmel Live! ” after the host’s remarks about the alleged assassin of Charlie Kirk sparked widespread backlash. After an about-face from Disney, the liberal comedian returned last Tuesday, and Kimmel’s emotional return drew a massive audience, but viewers haven’t stuck around.

On Thursday, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” averaged 2.3 million total viewers — a staggering 64% drop from the 6.5 million who tuned in for Tuesday’s much-hyped return.

Kimmel shed even more viewers in the advertiser-coveted demographic of adults aged 25-54, with Thursday’s episode hemorrhaging 73% of viewers from the critical category.

“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” pulled in 1.7 million viewers among the key demo for Tuesday’s return but p