Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned to the air on Monday night after wildfires in Los Angeles forced the late-night TV show to halt production. An emotional Jimmy Kimmel managed to find the silver lining in the devastation.
Raging fires in multiple locations throughout Los Angeles County caused casualties and destruction to homes, buildings, and just about anything else in the path. Kimmel films at the El Capitan theater in Hollywood, which was evacuated last week.
Monday night gave Kimmel a chance to return to his Hollywood studio and speak to his audience. From the start, Kimmel shed tears and tried to compose himself as he shared stories of friends, neighbors, and co-workers who have lost their homes.
"I think I speak for all of us when I say it has been a sickening, shocking, awful experience," Kimmel said. "But it's also been, in a lot of ways, a beautiful experience because once again, we see our fellow men and women coming together to support each other."
The late-night TV host cited examples of people volunteering despite losing their homes, It earned a round of applause from a Jimmy Kimmel Live! audience appreciative to hear about the good that has come from such a terrible situation.
Jimmy Kimmel thanks firefighters across Los Angeles
Jimmy Kimmel chose to keep his monologue as positive as possible. He made a passing reference to Donald Trump and his supporters who made disparaging comments about California and international firefighters that arrived to help.
Instead, Kimmel chose to thank all firefighters working to contain and eliminate the wildfires' threat. He shared footage of Los Angeles fire departments in action and thanked firefighters from Nevada, Texas, Arizona, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, Washington, Idaho, New Mexico, and Maine. And making sure not to leave anyone out, Kimmel also credited help from Mexico and Canada.
Police, the National Guard, doctors, nurses, EMTs, pilots, and local news reporters also got a shoutout from Kimmel. "Thank God for all of you," he said.
Kimmel shared information on how to help support the relief efforts and help first responders. He encouraged viewers to visit supportlafd.org for more information.