Ben Stiller and Stephen Colbert have led celebrities in praising Jimmy Kimmel's return to late-night TV.
Last week, bosses at ABC announced they were taking Jimmy Kimmel Live! off air "indefinitely" over comments the host made about the death of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk on 10 September.
Following a six-day suspension, Kimmel returned to screens on Tuesday night and delivered an emotional monologue in which he insisted he never meant to "make light" of Kirk's murder.
And after the highly anticipated episode aired, Stiller took to X to congratulate the presenter.
"What a brilliant monologue from Jimmy Kimmel," he declared.
Meanwhile, a number of high-profile names commented on an Instagram post showing Kimmel walking back into the studio.
"Welcome back, brother!" wrote fellow late-night host Colbert, while Friends star Jennifer Aniston posted the photo on her Instagram Stories and added a red heart emoji.
In addition, former CNN host Don Lemon applauded Kimmel for striking the right tone in his monologue.
"It was fantastic. I think he was right on, he hit the right tone, and that's a pro. A real professional," he noted in a video posted to Instagram. "All those people who were cheering for him to be fired or suspended, shame on you."
Elsewhere, actor Glen Powell - one of Kimmel's celebrity guests - said he was "honoured" to appear on the show, adding, "I'm just so happy you're back."
In his speech, Kimmel did not issue an apology for his comments about Kirk's death. However, the comedian appeared visibly emotional as he described the impact of the shooting and the recent controversy.
"I posted a message on Instagram on the day he was killed, sending love to his family and asking for compassion, and I meant it and I still do," he stated. "Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what was obviously a deeply disturbed individual. That was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make."
Yet, U.S. President Donald Trump remains critical of Kimmel's return.
"I can't believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back," he wrote on his Truth Social account earlier on Tuesday. "The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled! Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his 'talent' was never there."
