Jimmy Kimmel reflects on his comic roots and how he broke into late night

NPR | By Terry Gross

Published September 26, 2025 at 9:48 AM EDT

The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host found himself at the center of a battle over free speech when his show was briefly suspended following his comments about Charlie Kirk's assassination. Originally broadcast Jan. 23, 2013.

NPR News

Terry Gross

Terry Gross is the host and executive producer of NPR's Fresh Air.

See stories by Terry Gross

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

Lexington/Richmond

An industrial solar company wants to build in rural Madison County. What does it mean for residents?

Shepherd Snyder

Madison County's Board of Adjustments tabled a decision on permits for the project last week amid questions from residents.
Rhiannon Giddens' banjo connects her to her ancestors: 'The spirits come through'

Terry Gross

A self-described "folkie to the bone," Giddens sings and plays banjo and fiddle in this interview. Her latest album, Hope Is the Thing with Feathers, takes its name from an Emily Dickinson poem.
NPR News

Aviation regulators turn to AI to help manage the nation's airspace

Joel Rose

The Federal Aviation Administration launched an ambitious $875-million-dollar push to make the U.S. airspace more efficient. But critics say it won't solve bigger problems with air traffic control.
NPR News

Paramount makes concessions to salvage $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery deal

David Folkenflik, Mandalit del Barco

Paramount's owners have made concessions to 12 Democratic state attorneys general to settle a lawsuit that endangered the media company's bid for its larger Hollywood rival, Warner Bros. Discovery.
NPR News

Trump pressures Ukraine to stop hitting oil refineries

Hundreds of drones hit targets around Moscow ahead of Russia’s election on Monday.