Jimmy Kimmel Live celebrated its seventh anniversary last night with a party that took its mood from its host: Low-key and modest, with a lot to be modest about. Over the years, he’s grown more comfortable in his role — less frat-boy sloppy, more smooth jokester.
Kimmel’s biggest-name guest was Harrison Ford — not because he and Kimmel have some sentimental bond (although Ford did appear in Kimmel’s “He’s F—ing Ben Affleck” video), but rather because Ford just happens to be out promoting his film Extraordinary Measures. He gave Kimmel a pair of wool socks, which Ford pulled from the crotch of his pants — just the sort of genially vulgar gesture that suits Kimmel.
The only moment of real amusement was Kimmel’s own amazement over the fact that what he called Ford’s “delightful gal pal,” Calista Flockhart, has not seen Star Wars. Oh, and Jimmy’s taped piece on Steven Tyler’s Home Depot tour:
Kristen Bell was Kimmel’s other guest. While she was typically charming and briskly energetic, I kept thinking, this woman is one of Craig Ferguson’s favorite, recurring guests — he elicits so much more funniness from her!
Kimmel’s not working on the same level as David Letterman or Craig Ferguson, of course. I’ve never seen a full hour of Kimmel Live that was solid from start to finish, the way Dave and Craig can occasionally bat out a show with a superb monologue, amusing desk-work, and entertaining interviews. Kimmel’s show tends to be as lumpy as his suits.
On the other hand, in his favor, he’s neither as slick as Leno nor as callow as Fallon; he’s a smart guy who’s always trying to lower your expectations of him, because he knows that’s the way to pleasantly surprise us. Occasionally. Not too frequently.
As long as he occasionally comes up with taped bits as funny as his Matt Damon and talk-show-war videos, Kimmel will always be welcome. Happy anniversary, Jimmy.
What do you think of Kimmel?
I love Jimmy. I agree that his shows are uneven, I could do with a lot less Guillermo, but I always get a good laugh. I love the Friday salute to the FCC, his taped segments, and he is my favourite interviewer because instead of seeming like he is trying to hit the pre-determined conversation points (Leno I’m looking at you), he frequently seems actually interested in what they are saying. Alternatively, like the Bachelors he openly mocks them, but in a genial, non-agressive way.
enjoy Kimmel i too find his shows uneven but rather enjoyable
I was surprised about what an awful guest Harrison Ford was! He came off like a shy, mumbly, grandpa. Jimmy tried to keep the interview afloat, but the whole thing felt awkward.
Ken, it’s a shame you couldn’t even make positive comments about Kimmel without your own special brand of back-hand sprinkled in. I’m sure you’re just still sore because of his exchange with your bff, Jay Leno. Jimmy Kimmel’s a great host and he puts on a fun show.
I have enjoyed Jimmy since his days on LA radio. His low key humor and his genuine enjoyment of his guests are refreshing. The show that he devoted to Don Rickles was classic television – as good as it gets.
This forum neeedd shaking up and you’ve just done that. Great post!
What folks really want to know is where is the Better Off Ted recap????? Huh?? Pretty please???
I was just going to write this.
if we write it enough, will he recap? it’s such an awesome show and i love the way Mr. Tucker recaps it. I WANT MY “TED” RECAP!!!
I’ll take Craig any day over the Jimmys…or anyone else, for the that matter. Craig’s weakest shows are more entertaining than the other guys on their best nights.
I love Jimmy Kimmel and DVR him every night. I actually don’t like stand-up so I enjoy the fact that he doesn’t do the usual rat-a-tat one-liner delivery. His ironic commentary on Youtube videos etc. are exactly my style.
I wish he would come up with a few more good “franchise” bits along the lines of his Unnecessary Censorship or How Is This News or Unintentional Joke of the Day. He falls back on Guillermo way too often (sad about Uncle Frank’s health issues and Veatrice’s passing – they added variety though even they got overused). I wish Jimmy would beef up his writing team. I get the feeling Cousin Sal is too involved – I find his hidden camera bits and especially the assaulting of co-workers deeply unfunny. Jimmy is funniest when he’s contemptuous of his guest, like his two classic skewerings of Bachelor Jason Mesnick.
Happy Anniversary Jimmy!
Too bad Uncle Frank is ill an unable to do the show. Jimmy needs him for the security guard bits. Guillermo and YaYa are not very good comics.
Love Jimmy. He and Dave are up there for me.
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/d334702db4/the-real-jersey-shore
I was at the taping on Tuesday. The Harrison Ford was taped ahead of time. The only real problem is that Jimmy looks really uncomfortable during comerical breaks behind the scenes. If you’ve been to a taping of Conan or Leno, or even Drew Carrey with the Price Is Right, they connect with their studio audience and it carries into the show. While the behind the scenes comedians, Don and Link, tries to connect with the studio audience, Jimmy falls flat.
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