I’m a big fan of comedian Jimmy Kimmel. I’m an even
bigger fan of ESPN.com columnist Bill “The Sports Guy”
Simmons.
So when I heard that ABC bet a king’s ransom on Kimmel to
resuscitate late night programming, and Kimmel bet a case of beer
on Simmons to write for the show, I felt obligated to strap myself
on the roller coaster ride that is “Jimmy Kimmel Live”
knowing full well I would become nauseated afterward.
Kimmel, who evolved from lovely assistant on “Win Ben
Stein’s Money” to a co-star with Adam Corrola on
“The Man Show,” is not a comedic mastermind in the mold
of David Letterman or Jerry Seinfeld. What he brings to the table
is a self-effacing, hanging-out-with-the-guys brand of humor.
Unfortunately, guy talk will probably not translate well into a
network obsessed with its own clean-cut image. Most likely, the
show will have its hilarious moments, but Kimmel’s comedic
prowess will be severely restricted.
Here’s my rundown of Monday’s episode in log
format.
12 a.m.: The wait between the end of “Nightline” and
the start of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” seems like an
eternity. A live show, as many West Coast viewers know, is a tricky
concept for late night because the show may be taped in the El
Capitan Theater in Hollywood at 9 p.m. PST, but only East Coast
audiences catch the live version. We watch the tape-delay version
three hours later. That’s false advertising in my book.
12:05: The self-effacing humor rears its ugly head as a shabbily
dressed Kimmel (cheap-looking brown suit and no tie) is caught with
his fly down as he enters the studio. Nice touch. Kimmel is clearly
establishing himself as an antithesis to the buttoned-down,
smooth-talking Letterman.
12:06: Kimmel rants about the network’s prohibition of
alcohol, prompting him to declare, “The honeymoon with ABC is
over.” The borderline R-rated atmosphere of the show and the
network’s Disney reputation will always conflict and provide
comedic fodder.
12:08: Snoop Dogg is unleashed. As the sidekick of the week,
Snoop is essentially ABC’s hired gun to help Kimmel get some
early laughs. So far so good.
12:16: A Subway commercial with Jared. Urge to kill rising.
12:29: The Rock chuckles uncomfortably throughout his interview
like a girl with a lame prom date, and is visibly shaken when
snowdogs randomly mush across the set.
12:31: As Snoop stares longingly into space with a glazed look
on his face, Kimmel deadpans, “You look like you’re
back on the drugs.” Walt Disney just turned over in his
grave. Snoop is indeed the comedy gift that keeps on giving.
12:34: A promo of ABC’s “Celebrity Mole.” The
iceberg to Kimmel’s Titanic.
12:35: Football announcer and company man Al Michaels walks the
plank right onto the show. Here’s an example of a guest
who’s too sophisticated and uptight for Kimmel’s guy
talk schtick.
12:43: A Miller Lite commercial about great taste and less
filling. I think you know which one I’m talking about.
12:56: Gangsta rapper 50 Cent’s performance is met with
censor bleeps so loud and long that my roommate and I dubbed them
“Disney Bleeps.” ABC must have custom-ordered a giant
bleep machine just for this show.
It’s unclear how long of a leash ABC has on Kimmel. The
show resides in the time slot that once housed the annoying
“Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher.” If
“Jimmy Kimmel Live” fails to make a dent in the
ratings, don’t be surprised if ABC bleeps the show
altogether.
David’s favorite shows after midnight are “The Late
Show with Conan O’Brien,” “Sportscenter”
and reruns of “Saved By the Bell.” E-mail him at
dchang@media.ucla.edu.