Channel 4 has not released any further quotes from Kimmel’s address other than his line about fascism, but he is expected to strike a similar tone as he did last week when presenting the last episode of his talk show for the year.
He told viewers: “This has been a strange year. It’s been a hard year. We’ve had some lows, we’ve had some highs. For me, maybe more than any year in my life.”
“But on behalf of all of us at the show, I just want to say that we appreciate your support, your enthusiasm.
“And not just for watching. This year you literally pulled us out of a hole, and we cannot thank you enough, personally, professionally.”
The comic’s abrupt suspension came after threats by the federal TV regulator, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revoke ABC’s broadcast licence. The body is chaired by President Trump appointee, Brendan Carr.
The US President had welcomed Kimmel’s suspension and suggested that some TV networks should have their licences “taken away”.
President Trump and his supporters praised the decision to take Kimmel’s show off air, which came after pressure on ABC and its owner Disney from the White House and the president’s supporters.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Alternative Christmas Message will air on Channel 4 at 17:45 GMT on Christmas Day, two hours after the King’s Christmas Message on ITV and BBC One.