BAFTA Awards: What ‘Artist’, Dujardin, Streep … 
64th BAFTA Awards Winners: ‘The Artist’, Meryl … 
BAFTA 2012 Preview: Very British Affair Takes On … 
RECORD-BREAKING WEEKEND! 4 Films Open $20+M: ‘The … 
Remembered: Jennifer Hudson To Perform Whitney Houston … 
Live From NY, It’s Jean Dujardin On 
R.I.P. Whitney Houston 
TOLDJA! Indomina-BET Buy Sundance ‘LUV’ 
Midnight Madness For ‘Breaking Dawn’ DVD 
Saoirse Ronan Bigger Teen Action Queen 
WME Signs Writer-Director Jon Kasdan 
‘Glee’s Jane Lynch Joins Indie Film Comedy 
Universal Revives ‘Dracula Year Zero’ With … 
Jodie Foster Sending Mel Gibson Film ‘The … 
‘Roseanne’ Reunion: John Goodman To Co-Star In … 
UPDATE: Closing Arguments Conclude In Golden Globes Trial; … 
Series Adaptation Of ‘Legion’ With … 
Lionsgate Calms Investors With Talk About Charlie Sheen, … 
Ridley Scott Commits To Next Direct McCarthy’s … 
Marvel Studio’s Tim Connors Defects To Legendary As … 
UPDATE: Warner Bros Lawyers Dig In Garbage Over ‘The … 
Jimmy Kimmel just phoned me to clarify he was being self-effacing and sarcastic when emails came flooding in to me that he made the comment he doesn’t need writers as host of last night’s American Music Awards (see my Say What?). First, here are Kimmel’s comments in context, as transcribed by an alert DHD reader:
KIMMEL: This is going to be a little bit loose tonight. I’m a member of the writers guild. We’re on strike. It may not look like it, but I’m striking right now in my heart. So I was not allowed to write the jokes for tonight’s event, which is good for those of you in the front area, but bad for the rest of the world who has to sit through made-up crap. So what I’m going to do, instead of entertaining you with my comedy, I’m going to entertain you with my little-seen dancing ability tonight.
JIMMY THEN DANCES LIKE A WHITE GUY.
KIMMEL: See, we don’t need writers.
Just now, Kimmel, a WGA member, asked me to write:
“First of all, I read your column all the time and everyone I know does. And that’s why I was particularly upset to be taken out of context. Anyone who saw the broadcast would understand that I was being sarcastic after doing a ridiculous and sloppy bit at the start of the show – and then jokingly saying, ’See, I don’t need writers.’
“I had hundred of jokes written before the strike started for this in preparation. And, just to avoid even the appearance of not being supportive of the Guild, I threw them all out. And for anyone to take my comments out of context was unfair and misleading. I still love you, but I just wanted to clear the air on this matter.”
Loading ...
Nikki, you officially have the ear of everyone in the world at this point. You could probably get Osama to come out of hiding by posting an unsubstantiated rumor that he’s using scabs to write his next Death to America video.
thanks for explaining. now help me understand why you’re on television in the first place.
still don’t like him — and don’t like how he bashed Rosie O’Donnell a while back
perhaps people didn’t realize kimmel was joking on the AMA’s because this guy is simply not funny in any way
david letterman’s funny self-mocking refrain is “hey folks, they don’t give these talk shows to chimps” — apparently, they do — else, explain kimmel
Wow mmmgood. That’s a bit uncalled for, saying a hurtful comment to someone who has just said he reads this blog. Please understand there are people with different tastes than your own.
Thank you
oh, and I should say something in regards to the post as well I guess. I didn’t see the broadcast, but hearing of him through a mutual acquaintance I believe he’s sincere in his support of the strike.
N,
Gotta agree with Jimmy on this. I find it hard to believe that a savvy person like yourself didn’t pick up on the context of his joke. I know you didn’t see it first hand, but I gotta say calling him out had an uncomfortable McCarthy-esque vibe. Maybe it’s time we all took a deep breath.
Jimmy (and Sarah) are loyal to the WGA… His explanation is totally reasonable and acceptable.
Now let’s see him on the picket line.
Nikki, if you were watching, he was obviously joking. Not funny, but joking. It’s pot calling the kettle black time for taking his remark out of context. I’m an on strike writer who supports you but you owe Jimmy Kimmel a big apology.
well, his jokes may not be missed much but it’s a great example of 21st century crisis communication – just pick up the phone and clear the air. a pr agency would have fumbled the ball here.
to Jerad/mutually acquainted to Kimmel -
when you choose to become a public figure/celebrity, you must take the criticisms along with the benefits
in this case, criticism of kimmel as a performer are justified
Of course he’s in support of the strike. I don’t think you need a “mutual acquaintance” to know that.
Being an Arizona State alum myself, like Jimmy Kimmel, I believe him…or I’m just hoping he reads my comment, gives me a job, and/or tells people to buy my book, because I went to ASU.
Also, I’m glad he bashed Rosie, and he is funny. Mmmgood, actually, can you first explain to me why you are not on TV? I mean, that comment was hilarious. Your style of humor is so original. How do you do it!? Hey-oh!
Jimmy is one of the good guys.
“I’m striking right now in my heart”? Yeah? I just got back from four hours on the sidewalk outside Sony. Tell him to try striking with his feet. It’s harder.
Jimmy rules.
He didn’t mean everything.
He’s an Umphrey’s McGee fan, a hippy, aside from living in LA over New York he mostly makes good decisions.
i’m glad that as a member of the wga he specifically went on tv and stood there like a monkey because he wasnt going to do written jokes. i like the idea of using the very ad revenue generating airtime the media congloms value so much to advertise for and show support for the writer’s strike. i think as many actors, actresses and writers as possible should get on live tv and go “hi. this is where the funny skit goes. oh, and over here is where the well researched political criticism goes. and over here is where the cool new show everyone’s been talking about airs. oh wait, we dont have any actual content. so i’ll just stand here and stare into the camera until i can hire a writer to make me funny and/or interesting.”
You guys are on such a search and destroy mission it is kind of pathetic.
You want all the below the line people to be understanding and yet you cant take a second and figure out all the facts on your own.
IT WAS FUNNY and an obvious show of support to the WGA and now you all want to go to his house with air horns.
IMO, Jimmy’s intention was clear, and I understood the joke he was making.
He was funny on Regis and Kelly, he should do that instead.
so kimmel/asu alum can dish it out and distort and bash others’ (Rosie) opinions, but he can’t take it
From,
Harvard alum (like Conan, who IS funny)
Jimmy Kimmel also sent a gigantic truck full of truly good Mexican food (including horchata!) to the Warner Brothers picket line back during week one. It’s almost enough to make one forgive him for keeping Sarah Silverman to himself. He’s good people.
to the ASU guy -
mmgood wasn’t claiming to be funny, or a performer
but good luck to you with your razor wit
That didn’t take long for you guys to start turning on each other. Maybe Ellen should send a truck of mexican food to a picket line somewhere and you’d give her a free pass like you’re giving Jimmy.
Jimmy is DEFINITELY one of the good guys in this. He did the WGA a service by going out there with nothing, even though he could have gone with pre-written jokes that his staff came up with long before the strike hit.
Good going, Jimmy.
execgroup:
Criticism is fine, I just didn’t see any in the comment.
oh, bemused…
Typical Harvard alum, you have to inject the fact that you went to Harvard into any/every conversation. You guys should just tattoo it on your foreheads, so the rest of us plebes can bow down to you whenever we are in your presence.
Jimmy’s a good guy. And funny. Now it’s time for Harvard Girls Jumping On Trampolines…
Jimmy brought food to our gate the very first day of the strike when others hadn’t even thought of the gesture. He spoke to us quite a bit. He’s a loyal WGA member and hardcore supporter of the issues and this strike. Very serious and passionate. Not a joke in there about this. So I take him at his word.