Jennifer Aniston expressed her support for Jimmy Kimmel following the September 23 return of his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! The Friends alum reshared a photo from Kimmel’s account on her Instagram Stories, featuring him walking beneath an illuminated On Air sign, accompanied by a heart emoji. This gesture highlighted her solidarity with the late-night host amid a turbulent period for the show and its freedom of expression.
Aniston, who has been a guest on Kimmel’s program multiple times, shares a friendship with the comedian that spans more than ten years. She further demonstrated her backing when she, alongside over 400 celebrities, signed an open letter defending Kimmel and championing the right to free speech on television after the show’s suspension on September 17.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Return Marked by Lighthearted and Meaningful Opening
To mark his comeback, Jimmy Kimmel and his longtime sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez humorously teased the audience by pretending they had prepared a completely different opening. Dressed in a banana costume and a monkey outfit respectively, they joked about changing the intro after news outlets dubbed the event
“the most anticipated monologue in late night.”
Walking on stage to a standing ovation, Kimmel underscored the significance of having the freedom to speak openly. He said,
This show is not important, but what’s important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this,
highlighting the broader value beyond entertainment. Kimmel then mentioned talk show hosts from other countries who warned him they would face imprisonment for mocking politicians.
He reinforced this by stating,
Our freedom to speak is what they admire most about this country. And that’s something I’m embarrassed to say I took for granted until they pulled my friend Stephen off the air,
referring to CBS’s announcement that
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
will conclude in May 2026 once Colbert’s contract expires. The New York Times reported that Colbert’s farewell season began in July.
Kimmel called the attempts to pressure local affiliates into dropping his show un-American. Among viewers affected was a fan from East Tennessee who said on YouTube,
I never thought I’d be unable to watch a TV show in this country, but tonight my local ABC station in East Tennessee, owned by Nexstar, is not showing Jimmy Kimmel Live. It’s blatant censorship. And outrageous. Good to have you back, Jimmy.
Jennifer Aniston Praised by Jimmy Kimmel During 2024 Appearance
During her appearance on Kimmel’s show last year, Jennifer Aniston was warmly introduced as
one of the most loved human beings in all the world,
and was lauded as
a legendary star of screens big and small.
At 56, Aniston was promoting her children’s book,
Clydeo Takes a Bit Out of Life.
She also brought her rescue dog, Clydeo, and spoke about The Clydeo Fund, a project she launched out of concern for shelter dogs. Aniston shared,
I started that because I care about helping animals and the dogs, shelter dogs.
She described the book’s goal as helping kids find their passions, while lamenting the distractions children face today, particularly from
those little telephones.
Jennifer Aniston’s continued support for Jimmy Kimmel emphasizes the strong bond between them and highlights important conversations about free speech, media censorship, and advocacy for vulnerable animals and children. As Kimmel’s show navigates challenges posed by local station decisions and broader industry changes, the backing of friends and fans alike remains a critical force behind its resilience.
