Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late-night television came with controversy, emotion—and one surprisingly sweet detail nobody expected. During his suspension, his mom reportedly cooked for him nonstop, then prepared a special treat for his comeback show. But amid the cookies and comfort food, Kimmel’s return carried a much bigger message.

Jimmy Kimmel Says His Mom Cooked for Him ‘Relentlessly’ During His Suspension, and Made a Special Treat for His Return Show

Jimmy Kimmel Says His Mom Cooked for Him ‘Relentlessly’ During His Suspension, and Made a Special Treat for His Return Show
Jimmy Kimmel reveals he got some motherly care while he was off the air.

On the second night of Jimmy Kimmel Live!’s return, the 57-year-old late night host revealed that his mother, Joan, kept him well-fed while his show went on a hiatus amid controversy over his comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

“My mom relentlessly kept making [food], she’s like, ‘Can I bring over some pasta fazool? Can I make—’ She brought cookies with my face on them to the show last night,” Kimmel said.

He made the remark after guest Lisa Ann Walter brought him “macaroni alla pescorace” to eat as a welcome back gift. She joked that it was part of her “plan” to bring “things America loves the most,” which included a “nice home cooked meal and a great rack.”

The late night host returned to television on Tuesday, Sept. 23, six days after ABC announced that it was pulling Jimmy Kimmel Live! was off the air “indefinitely.” During his opening monologue after returning, he acknowledged his previous comments that led to the suspension in an emotional moment during the broadcast.