Jimmy Kimmel has criticized anti-American threats to free speech during an emotional return to late-night US television - following a brief suspension after his comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Through tears, the comedian said during Tuesday's comeback show that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.
Kimmel accused the head of the organization that regulates American TV of mob tactics, and poked fun at President Donald Trump's appearance at the UN - including an escalator mishap.
But Tuesday's episode was not available to viewers in all markets, due to opposition from some local stations affiliated with Kimmel's network ABC.
Those broadcasters, which are run by the companies Nexstar and Sinclair, reportedly account for about one in five of ABC's local stations in the US.
Trump, who had welcomed the comedian's suspension, was critical of the reinstatement, writing: I can't believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back. Kimmel's broadcast was available on streaming service Hulu + Live TV, owned by ABC’s parent company Disney.
Kimmel insisted he had not wanted to blame any specific group for Kirk's murder, while praising Erika Kirk for her act of forgiveness toward her husband’s alleged killer during a memorial service. He criticized Trump for calling for the axing of late-night hosts and labeled Trump's actions as un-American.
Kimmel also targeted Brendan Carr, head of the Federal Communications Commission, alleging that the FCC was using mob tactics to suppress free speech. The backlash against Kimmel's suspension has seen support from fellow comedians and even some Republican lawmakers, highlighting a deep divide in opinions about freedom of speech in America.
