Jimmy Kimmel made his long awaited (6 days) return to Late Night on Tuesday and had both the internet and mainstream news alike buzzing in anticipation of just what he had to say after one of the most controversial ‘cancellations’ in recent memory. 

In what was billed by some as the most monumental monologue in the history of the genre, Kimmel returned to an audience of passionate and enthusiastic fans who jam packed the El Capitan Entertainment Centre for their chance to witness history. 

What they got was more of a sermon than a comedy segment. 

Kimmel was apologetic about how his remarks were received and while he did get in some jabs at FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and President Donald Trump, he spent the majority of the show’s opening championing free speech, his colleagues and even shouting out Ted Cruz for the Texas Senator’s reluctant defense of him in the wake of his suspension. 

Kimmel spent equal time crying as he did smiling and came across as sincere and well intentioned with the core of his message being a rallying cry for the nation to band together in these uncertain times and stand up for our collective rights as Americans. 

While Kimmel likely would not have been the first choice of many to lead this free speech crusade, he has found himself thrust into the center of a nation wide discourse that has firmly established the current administration as anti-constitution, anti-free speech and frankly, un-American. 

Will this debacle lead to a great awakening of the American populous and a class uprising the likes of which has never been seen? 

Probably not. 

But it was quite refreshing to see even the smallest bit of pushback against this administration by a corporation and spokesman that has the platform to do so, rather than capitulate to the whims of an erratic, megalomaniacal baby boomer that is definitely NOT in those Epstein files. 

Decent monologue with a great message, even if its effects don’t last as long as we would like, it was a rare showing of unity that feels all too sporadic in our current cultural landscape. 

Categories: Arts & Entertainment