PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — When Walter and Leesa Bates booked tickets to attend Jimmy Kimmel Live! during their trip to Los Angeles, they expected a night of laughter. Instead, the retired Beaverton music teachers found themselves part of late-night television history, witnessing Kimmel’s dramatic return to the air following a weeklong suspension.
A Festival Trip Turns into Front-Row History
The Bates had traveled south for a ukulele festival, where they performed with their musical group. Knowing they’d be in Los Angeles, Leesa applied for audience tickets to Jimmy Kimmel Live! as a side adventure.
“We belong to a ukulele group, and we were performing down there,” Leesa explained. “Since we’d be in L.A., I looked online and applied for tickets.”
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Their excitement dimmed, however, when news broke that Kimmel’s show had been suspended indefinitely.
Why the Show Was Suspended
The controversy stemmed from Kimmel’s Sept. 15 monologue addressing the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In it, Kimmel criticized what he described as attempts by “the MAGA gang” to politicize the tragedy.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend … doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel remarked.
The comments sparked backlash. FCC Chair Brendan Carr accused Kimmel of misleading the public about the alleged motives of Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old charged in Kirk’s death. Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, two of the nation’s largest station owners, quickly preempted the program.
“Mr. Kimmel’s comments … are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse,” said Nexstar’s broadcasting president Andrew Alford. Sinclair leaders issued similar statements, stressing broadcasters’ responsibility to promote “respectful dialogue.”
ABC responded by suspending the show outside affected markets.
Fans Left Waiting
The Bates, like many ticket holders, were left unsure if their evening with Kimmel would happen.
“We were still at the festival when we found out he was suspended,” Leesa said. “We were bummed, but we didn’t cancel. We kept checking, hoping something would happen. Luckily, they put it back on.”
On Sept. 23, ABC announced the show’s return in markets not controlled by Nexstar or Sinclair. The Bates’ tickets were still valid—on the very night of the comeback.
Anticipation Builds at the Studio
Waiting in line outside the Hollywood studio, Walter recalled the buzz among fans.
“The talk amongst the patrons was pretty excited,” he said. “Everyone wondered: would he apologize? Would he come out swinging? Nobody knew.”
Inside, the Bates found themselves with prime seating. “As luck would have it,” Walter said, “my lovely wife sat next to Jimmy’s mom.”
Leesa described Kimmel’s mother as anxious: “She was very nervous, didn’t know what he was going to say. She even apologized in advance if she cried—which she did.”
An “Electric” Return
When Kimmel finally walked on stage, the room erupted.
“The producers asked for 15 seconds of applause,” Walter said. “It lasted over a minute. Thunderous. Nonstop. There were supposed to be two standing ovations; there ended up being seven.”
Kimmel addressed the suspension head-on, clarifying that he never intended to blame any political group for Kirk’s murder, instead criticizing how tragedies are used for partisan gain.
“That was the opposite of the point I was trying to make,” Kimmel told viewers, emphasizing his respect for free speech and his remorse if his comments had been misunderstood.
Walter called the moment powerful: “It hit all the points it needed to. He explained his stance, made clear he never wanted to make light of a tragedy, and he got emotional. We all did.”
Witnessing “History”
For the Bates, it felt like lightning struck twice.
“We dumb-lucked into this,” Walter said. “We had tickets for that one night only. It gets canceled, then reinstated just in time. We knew we were watching history.”
Leesa agreed, noting the relief among Kimmel’s family: “They’d had a really hard week, but being back was healing for them.”
Free Speech at the Center
The couple also reflected on the broader debate sparked by the suspension.
“I think everybody should be able to watch what they want,” Walter said. “If you don’t like it, don’t watch. There are thousands of channels out there.”
Kimmel, too, highlighted the importance of free speech, thanking not just fans but also critics who defended his right to speak—even if they didn’t agree with him.
“He was very pleased,” Leesa added. “He talked about people who don’t support him but were supporting free speech. That meant a lot.”
Nexstar and Sinclair Still Holding Out
While ABC reinstated Jimmy Kimmel Live! nationwide, Nexstar and Sinclair stations—including affiliates in Oregon—continued to preempt the show as of Sept. 25.
In a Sept. 24 statement, Nexstar said it was “continuing to evaluate” the show’s status, while in discussions with Disney, ABC’s parent company.
A Night to Remember
Regardless of the ongoing controversy, the Bates left the studio grateful.
“It was awesome to hear him say nobody should take his humor too seriously,” Walter said. “He never meant to hurt anyone. And then he spoke about free speech—that’s what this country is built on.”
For Walter and Leesa, the evening was unforgettable. What began as a fun detour from a music festival became a chance to witness a defining moment in late-night television.
“This is going to be history,” Walter said. “And we were lucky enough to be in the room.”
