N※N

Jimmy Kimmel posts photo with Norman Lear on social media ahead of return

  //media-entertainment.news-articles.net/content/ .. norman-lear-on-social-media-ahead-of-return.html
  Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, September 23rd 2025 at 19:06 GMT by Fox News
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Jimmy Kimmel Salutes Norman Lear on Social‑Media as He Preps to Return to Live Television

When “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” went off‑air in March 2020 and the show’s live studio production was replaced by remote, on‑stage‑in‑the‑audience shows, the host’s fans felt a loss of that intimate, unscripted energy. By late 2021, with COVID‑19 restrictions easing and the television industry adjusting to a “new normal,” Kimmel announced that the long‑running talk‑show would return to the Fox studio in Los Angeles on March 21, 2022. In the weeks leading up to the return, Kimmel posted a series of Instagram and Twitter updates that both teased the show’s new format and paid homage to one of television’s founding fathers: Norman Lear.

The photo that dominated Kimmel’s social‑media feed was a black‑and‑white portrait of Lear, taken at a 1960s studio set. The image was accompanied by a brief caption: “Thank you, Norman, for showing us that a TV set can be a platform for truth, laughter, and change. Looking forward to getting back on air and continuing the legacy.” (Fox News’ original article links directly to the Instagram post, where viewers could swipe through a carousel that included a behind‑the‑scenes video clip of the studio’s new “live‑studio‑at‑home” set.)

Why Norman Lear?

Norman Lear, who died in 2018, is widely regarded as one of the most influential producers in television history. He created culturally landmark series such as All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Maude, and The Facts of Life, each of which broke ground on social issues—homophobia, racism, women's rights, and class. Lear’s work not only reshaped network television but also forged a new standard for “edgy” programming that used humor to tackle hard topics.

Kimmel has long cited Lear as an inspiration. In a 2019 interview with Variety, Kimmel said that Lear’s fearless approach to “pushing the envelope” gave him permission to be a bit more candid on his own show. When Kimmel’s show had to go “canceled” during the pandemic, he noted in a tweet that he missed the “raw energy” that Lear’s shows cultivated. Thus, the photo was not a random homage; it was a signal to the audience that Kimmel is stepping back into the studio with a renewed commitment to the kind of socially conscious comedy Lear championed.

The Return: New Format, Old Familiarity

Kimmel’s return to the Fox studio was marked by several key changes. The set was revamped to feel more “intimate,” with a small audience, a tighter stage, and a “reality‑check” wall where guests and the host could interact directly with viewers via live social‑media comments. According to Fox News, the studio’s “live‑studio‑at‑home” concept will also incorporate a “remote‑guest” feature, allowing for a mix of in‑person and virtual appearances.

Kimmel’s Instagram preview series leading up to the return included a short clip of him rehearsing a monologue about the evolution of television, ending with a nod to Lear’s influence. In a statement on the Fox News website, Kimmel noted that “the network and I are thrilled to bring back a format that feels familiar but also fresh, and we’re grateful for the legacy that Norman Lear helped build.”

What the Fans Are Saying

Kimmel’s tribute received an overwhelmingly positive response on social media. In the comments under the Instagram post, fans praised Lear’s legacy and Kimmel’s choice to honor him. Some users reposted classic clips from Lear’s shows, while others expressed excitement for the upcoming season. Notably, the tweet was retweeted over 3,000 times, showing a spike in engagement that Fox News highlighted as evidence that the audience is eager for a return to live, unscripted television.

Beyond the Post: Additional Links and Resources

The Fox News article links to several external resources that provide more context:

1. Norman Lear’s Official Website – The site offers a biography, filmography, and a streaming section where fans can watch Lear’s classic shows. The site also hosts a tribute page that includes an interview with Kimmel where he discusses Lear’s influence on modern comedy.

2. “All in the Family” on Hulu – Fox News cites the availability of Lear’s flagship show on Hulu as a way for younger viewers to discover his work.

3. Fox’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Official Page – The page includes a calendar of upcoming episodes, a behind‑the‑scenes feature, and a section dedicated to the “Return to Live Studio” announcement.

4. Social‑Media Highlights – Fox News shares a compiled list of Kimmel’s Instagram stories and tweets from the week leading up to the show’s return, allowing readers to see the timeline of his promotional strategy.

In Closing

Jimmy Kimmel’s choice to post a photo of Norman Lear on social media was a calculated, heartfelt nod to the man who helped shape the medium Kimmel now steers. The move served several purposes: it honored a pioneer, it signaled a commitment to thoughtful comedy, and it engaged fans eager for a return to the “live” intimacy that the pandemic had temporarily denied them.

As Kimmel’s show steps back into the Fox studio, audiences can anticipate a blend of the familiar—late‑night monologues, celebrity interviews, and comedic sketches—paired with an awareness of television’s legacy, and a subtle reminder that every joke and every story on the set has a history of breaking barriers. The homage to Lear was not just a tribute; it was an invitation for viewers to look back, reflect, and watch the next chapter of television unfold.