In a triumphant return, Jimmy Kimmel graced the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" stage on Monday night, expressing his gratitude for being back after the conclusion of the Writers Guild of America strike.
The evening began with an entertaining skit featuring guest Arnold Schwarzenegger, complete with a witty «Terminator»-inspired «you'll be back» joke. Kimmel's comeback came five months after his last show.
During his monologue, Kimmel humorously shared how his Hollywood studio had temporarily transformed into a pickleball court during the labor dispute that had brought Hollywood to a halt.
He took a moment to reacquaint himself with the audience, quipping, «In case you've forgotten, my name is Jimmy. I've been off the air for five months.… We've been gone so long that 'The Bachelor' is now a grandfather,» a playful reference to «The Golden Bachelor.»
Reflecting on the events he missed during his absence, Kimmel humorously mentioned that Donald Trump had faced arrest four times during that period, touching on various allegations.
He also took a moment to appreciate the dedication of the crew who supported the Writers Guild during the strike, offering a light-hearted comment about the diverse team.
Kimmel, joined by his trusty security guard and sidekick, Guillermo, mentioned that people had already begun offering advice on how to run the show again, emphasizing the audience's anticipation of their return. He playfully shared that their parents had started sending notes about the show, adding a humorous anecdote about a mother's plea not to focus entirely on Trump.
As Kimmel's monologue continued, he delved into recent appearances by former President Donald Trump and House Representative Lauren Boebert's headline-making visit