Jimmy Kimmel made a heartfelt return to his late-night show on Monday, January 13, following a week of devastation caused by the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles. The 57-year-old host began his monologue by reflecting on the “very scary, very stressful, very strange week” that has profoundly impacted the city since the fires erupted on January 7.


Kimmel’s voice cracked with emotion as he described the widespread destruction caused by the blaze, which has affected “where we work, where we live, where our kids go to school.” On January 8, the late-night show team was forced to evacuate their studio at the El Capitan Theatre when the fires came dangerously close to Hollywood.


“Many of us had to leave our homes in a hurry. Some of our co-workers lost their homes. It’s been terrible,” Kimmel said, his voice breaking as he spoke over footage of the raging fires.


A Community in Crisis


Kimmel highlighted the far-reaching impact of the fires, noting that nearly everyone in Los Angeles has been affected in some way. “Everyone who lives in this city knows someone — most of us, multiple people — families, friends, colleagues, neighbors — whose houses burned down,” he said.


With 100-mile-per-hour winds fueling the inferno, Kimmel acknowledged the uncertainty that still looms over the city. “The truth is, we don’t even know if it’s over, because we had 100-mile-per-hour winds fueling this nightmare. As of tonight, the winds are back,” he said solemnly.


Hope Amid the Tragedy


Despite the devastation, Kimmel also shared a message of hope, praising the resilience and kindness of the community during such a challenging time. “It has 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,” he said.


Kimmel recounted stories of incredible generosity, including people who had lost their own homes volunteering to help others. “People who lost their own homes were out volunteering in parking lots, helping others who lost theirs,” he said.


A City United


The emotional monologue served as a reminder of the strength and solidarity that can emerge in the face of tragedy. Kimmel’s words reflected not just the pain of loss but also the beauty of human compassion. As Los Angeles continues to grapple with the aftermath of the wildfires, the resilience of its residents shines through, offering hope in a time of heartbreak.