Jimmy Kimmel is back on air after a brief suspension and before anyone assumes this is about politics, relax. This is not about political debates, social issues, or the latest hot-button controversy. Nope. This is about what I miss: late-night television that made us laugh without making us reach for a stress ball.

Remember Johnny Carson? David Letterman? These guys did not lecture us. They just made us laugh until we cried or snorted, depending on your Thursday-night snack situation. They had this magical ability to take the chaos of daily life, spilled coffee, traffic jams, your neighbor's cat somehow in your garage, and turn it into comedy gold. They did not need politics. They had slapstick, absurdity, and wit sharp enough to shave with. You could watch it guilt-free without feeling like you needed a shower afterward from the weight of the world.

Fast forward to today. Late-night has evolved. And by evolved, I mean half the monologues could double as lectures on international diplomacy. Not that Jimmy Kimmel is not funny. He is. But somewhere along the way, late-night became less "funny business" and more "commentary central." Sure, I get that the world is complicated, but sometimes I just want a break from complexity. I want to see someone wrestle a giant sandwich into their mouth without it being a metaphor for global trade. I want celebrity interviews that make us cringe and laugh, not check facts on our phones.

I miss the absurd. I miss the ridiculous. I miss sketch bits where someone in a chicken suit would run through the streets of Los Angeles and no one questioned it. I miss the unexpected musical guest who could play the kazoo better than me and that is saying something. I miss the moments where the only thing you needed to think about was whether the host could balance a rubber chicken on their head without disaster. That is television I could relax with.

Honestly, it is not nostalgia for nostalgia's sake. It is missing a time when late-night was pure escape. When a joke about a politician could make you chuckle without turning into a five-minute critique that made you feel like you should call your congressman immediately. When absurdity, not controversy, ruled the night. When the biggest problem on TV was someone spilling coffee on the desk or trying and failing to stack marshmallows on their nose.

So here is to Jimmy Kimmel being back. Here is to laughter without the lectures. Here is to silly skits, awkward celebrity moments, and ridiculous challenges that make us forget deadlines, bills, and the general chaos of adult life. Maybe one day, late-night will remember its roots, a place where humor reigns, the absurd is celebrated, and we can all just sit back and enjoy a few minutes of unadulterated fun. And honestly, if a celebrity ends up wrestling a giant sandwich while wearing a chicken suit, I will consider that a victory.

Because sometimes, life is too serious. Late-night should remind us that it does not always have to be.

Until next time -
Jeanie @ Gopher Update