After a much-debated suspension, Jimmy Kimmel made a fiery comeback by kicking off Jimmy Kimmel Live!’s Brooklyn Week with Ryan Reynolds and Stephen Colbert, turning controversy into fuel for sharp humor and proving that instead of being silenced, he returned bolder, funnier, and defiantly unshaken.

Jimmy Kimmel is back, and he’s not easing into it quietly.

After a headline-grabbing suspension that left fans speculating whether late-night TV’s mischievous veteran might be sidelined longer than expected, Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned with a bang Monday night to kick off its annual “Brooklyn Week.

” The host, who has long relished bringing his show back to his hometown for a series of special broadcasts, made it clear from the first monologue that the controversy swirling around him had only sharpened his wit.

The opening night episode, broadcast live from the Brooklyn Academy of Music, featured an eclectic guest lineup headlined by Ryan Reynolds and Stephen Colbert.

Both appearances were carefully chosen—Reynolds, the Hollywood superstar with a reputation for irreverent humor, and Colbert, a fellow late-night veteran with whom Kimmel shares a mix of rivalry and camaraderie.

Together, they set the tone for a week that promised to be less about damage control and more about reclaiming the spotlight.

Kimmel walked onstage to thunderous applause from a packed New York crowd, taking a moment to soak in the energy before launching into his monologue.

“Well, it’s good to be suspended one week and then sentenced to Brooklyn the next,” he joked, playing off the elephant in the room.

Without directly addressing the reasons for his recent suspension—rumors ranged from backstage clashes to sharp-tongued political jokes gone too far—Kimmel leaned into his familiar brand of self-deprecation and sly commentary.

“The network said I needed to cool off, so naturally they sent me to the place with the hottest pizza ovens in America,” he quipped.

Ryan Reynolds was the night’s first guest, promoting his latest film while slipping into the playful, bantering rhythm that fans love.

At one point, Kimmel teased Reynolds about his seemingly endless projects.

“You’ve got movies, gin, a soccer team, and now you’re here helping me relaunch after suspension—do you ever get tired of saving people’s careers?” Reynolds, grinning, shot back: “I’m Canadian.

It’s what we do.

We apologize, we help, we keep the world polite.

” The crowd roared.

Stephen Colbert followed with a segment that blended heart and humor.

The two longtime hosts reminisced about late-night rivalries and compared notes on surviving network politics.

Colbert, in a mock-serious tone, asked Kimmel if suspension came with “a punch card” where every three suspensions earned you a free vacation.

Kimmel replied, “Yes, but only if you take it in Cleveland.

” Their easy rapport underscored a camaraderie rarely glimpsed behind the sharp competition of network late-night slots.

The Brooklyn setting also played heavily into the show’s atmosphere.

Kimmel has made a tradition of staging a week of episodes in the borough, celebrating his New York roots with guest appearances, sketches shot on local streets, and performances from musicians tied to the city.

Monday’s episode was no exception, with a live performance from a Brooklyn-based band and pre-recorded comedy bits highlighting neighborhood landmarks.

Behind the laughs, though, the subtext of Kimmel’s return was impossible to ignore.

In an era when late-night hosts are as much cultural lightning rods as entertainers, his temporary removal from the airwaves raised questions about how far networks are willing to let their stars push boundaries.

Kimmel, who has long been outspoken in his political humor and unafraid of controversy, seemed to signal that he wasn’t retreating from that role.

If anything, his jokes carried an extra edge, subtly reminding viewers that suspension hadn’t dulled his appetite for provocation.

Reactions on social media were swift and divided.

Loyal fans celebrated the return of Kimmel’s sharp-tongued humor, praising his chemistry with Reynolds and Colbert.

Critics, however, wondered whether the suspension would linger as a mark on his credibility.

“Jimmy’s walking a tightrope,” one fan posted.

“He’s hilarious, but you can feel the tension in the air.

” Another countered: “This is exactly why we watch him.

He’s not afraid to poke the bear.”

As Brooklyn Week continues, Kimmel is set to welcome a lineup of high-profile guests, including musicians, comedians, and political figures—some of whom may add further sparks to the fire.

Whether the suspension ends up being a blip in his career or a turning point remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Jimmy Kimmel isn’t stepping back.

If anything, his return has given him fresh fuel, and Brooklyn is serving as the stage for his defiant encore.

For now, late-night television has its jester back, sharper than ever, unbowed by the turbulence of the past weeks.

And judging by the crowd in Brooklyn and the online chatter afterward, controversy may have only amplified his reach.