Jimmy Kimmel calls out 'anti-American' threats to free speech in tearful TV return

The comedian returned from a brief suspension after comments he made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

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Through tears, the comedian said during Tuesday's comeback show that "it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man".

Kimmel accused the head of the organisation that regulates American TV of "mob tactics", and poked fun at President Donald Trump's appearance at the UN - including an escalator mishap.

But Tuesday's episode was not available to viewers in all markets, due to opposition from some local stations affiliated with Kimmel's network ABC.

Those broadcasters, which are run by the companies Nexstar and Sinclair, reportedly account for about one in five of ABC's local stations in the US.