Conan O'Brien 'Outraged' by Jimmy Kimmel Suspension: 'I'm Glad He's Back'

Conan O’Brien made his opinion loud and clear about Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension from ABC.

During the film premiere of If I Had Legs I’d Kick You on Thursday, October 2, a reporter asked O'Brien what he thought of Jimmy Kimmel Live! briefly going off air after the late-night host made controversial comments about the late Charlie Kirk.

In support of the fellow comedian, O’Brien said, “Obviously, all of us were outraged by what happened, and everyone did the right thing. And I don’t just mean in the late-night community; I mean all across show business. And anyone who works in media, works in journalism, anyone with a conscience, everyone stood up and said, ‘Nope, you can’t do that. That is not right.’ So, I’m glad that he’s back.”

He also joked there are “so many Jimmys now,” pointing out how television personalities are being canceled left and right for their political positions and commitment to creating a work environment that is DEI-inclusive.

Kimmel’s suspension was short-lived, lasting six days after he was told by ABC executives that the “temperature” of his show needed to settle before he was allowed back on air.

The late-night host, who has been with the network for 22 years, was asked to make an apology and donation to Kirk’s widow, Erika, and the activist’s Turning Point USA organization to have his show reinstated, though while off air, he declined to do so.

During his first night back on September 23, Jimmy didn’t exactly apologize to Erika; however, about halfway through his opening monologue, he discussed her strength and what he hopes America can learn from the political assassination of the 31-year-old.

“Erika Kirk forgave the man who shot her husband. She forgave him,” Jimmy stated.

The comedian also claimed that he did not intend on mocking Charlie’s murder, adding that he understood why many people were upset with him over his distasteful take on the right-wing activist’s public death.

“It’s important to me as a human. And that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” he said as he teared up. “I don’t think there’s anything funny about it.”

After saying he didn’t mean to place “blame” on a specific “group” for Charlie’s murder — as he made it seem the alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, was a MAGA supporter — Kimmel spilled, “But I understand that to some that felt either ill-timed or unclear, or maybe both. And for those who think I did point a finger... I get why you're upset. If the situation was reversed, there's a good chance I'd have felt the same way.”