“Jimmy Kimmel Live” airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
It takes a lot to earn my respect when it comes to funny, sarcastic banter. Jimmy Kimmel Live is one of the few shows on the air that I would give a respectful Crunchy approved nod to the histrionics that Jimmy and his writers come up with (see we are already on a first named basis).
I’ve been to LA a few times now, and with longing eyes I would walk past the huge Jimmy Kimmel Live banners on Hollywood Boulevard. Slanting my eyes downward in shame because I was not worthy enough to be in his great hysterical presence. (Well, that and the fact I really, really, really wanted to go and it wasn’t in the cards)
Well, this time when I was in LA the humor gods must have shined down on me from their golden microphone in the sky because not only was I able to attend a Jimmy Kimmel Live taping, I was able to meet the man himself: Jimmy Kimmel (not god, but some might call him a god)
Courtesy of ABCThe ABC Tv event bloggers, had a chance to watch the taping from an VIP green room equipped with great Cinco de Mayo yummies and a full bar (you know how Crunchy likes her juice). Before the show started we drank and ate, and had a chance to talk to Molly McNearney, co-head writer, and executive producer, Jill Leiderman .
During a brief Q&A we had a chance to find out just how much work goes into a show like Jimmy Kimmel Live. Each and every day they offer Jimmy hundreds of ideas on current events, news topics, and celebrity tidbits to talk about during the show. The only parts that are pre-recorded are some skits with the guests that they know are coming on the show.
The show we watched had Julia Roberts and Sally Field as guests. It was truly surreal to know I was in the building with two A list Hollywood actresses, both of which I adore. What was even more awesome was the fact that Jimmy had planned the first ever Celebrity Swear off. As soon as I heard the name of the sketch, I knew I would be in love. (If you knew me in person, you would know I have profound respect for people that can use swear words in proper grammatical context)
So, who do you think won the swear off? It might surprise you, but Sally Field whooped up on some Julia Roberts. I was so proud of the words that were coming out Sally’s mouth. She said them with such fervor and ferocity. That woman was on a mission to win, and that she did. I bow my sarcastic hat to her in all of her profanity greatness.
After the celebrity swear off, we got a chance to listen to some live music and jump around like a bunch of groupies. The band was called Future Islands, and though I had never heard of them before I left wanting to look up their album. It was a lot of fun.
After the taping, we waited ever so patiently (oh, who am I kidding we were biting at the bit to take the tour). Senor Guillermo (aka Jimmy’s trusty body guard) lead us down to the stage where the taping took place. It surprised me how small that studio actually is. They use a lot of camera tricks to make the stage look much bigger than it is in real life. (I guess it’s kinda like how my butt looks that much bigger when you put me in front of a camera).
As we waited for the tour to start, it was like the room filled with fog and through the fog entered this man in an expensive, silver suit. The fog slowly started to part, and I was in the presence of a comedic genius. I would’ve thought I was hallucinating if the man in the shiny suit didn’t exclaim “HELLO, BLOGGERS!”
Jimmy, there’s that first name basis again, was just as nice as I had heard him to be. He not only individually greeted each blogger, but offered to take a photo with each one of us. This gave me the chance to thank him for the hilarious sign language rap battle skit that my hearing impaired daughter and I loved. See the below photo as proof (though he does look like he’s not sure what language I am speaking, I am sure it was English and not something like omgjimmykimmeliloveyouyouarethefunniestmanever)
After shaking his hand, and striking a cheesy face, we headed out the door. I might’ve just had a little twinkle in my eye because I had earned the opportunity to stand in front of an idol of mine, and one day, I hope my humor and wit will be like his when they grow up.
saminder gumer says
i think he is great and i would love to meet him. i bet it was a blast. i would love to go to his show when i am in town and will try next time i am.