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Jimmy Kimmel Abuses Jay Leno. To His Face

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (67)

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I hope to God you folks aren’t thinking already that you’d like me to shut the fuck up about the late night wars already, because I love this stuff. I love the machinations, I love the posturing, and I love the way something like this really brings out the best in all the late-night hosts (save for Leno, who doesn’t really have a best). It’s inside baseball that gets blown up on the small screen, because talk show hosts are paid to talk about what’s in the news, and when they’re in the news, there’s no exception. They can’t hide behind PR statements; they have to go out and make the jokes, even if the jokes are about themselves.

So, I give Leno the smallest bit of credit for having the gumption to invite Jimmy Kimmel onto his show last night, two nights after Kimmel did his entire show as Leno. And if there is one thing about Kimmel that I can respect the hell out of, it’s that he doesn’t give a shit. He will say anything, without any regard for the consequences. This was best exemplified, perhaps, when he was on “Monday Night Football,” a couple of years ago, after he insinuated — on the air — that Tony Kornheiser engineered Joe Theismann’s ouster. It was one of the few unhinged on-the-air moments ever on a national football broadcast. And, of course, it got Kimmel banned from “Monday Night Football.”

Leno probably should’ve thought back to that night before he decided to “be the bigger man” or whatever and invite Kimmel on his show, because Kimmel trashed him, and Leno couldn’t say a fucking thing about it. He basically just stands there and takes it. I hope to God this video gets passed around the Internet all goddamn day. It’s beautiful in his sublime awkwardness — if Leno wasn’t such a slimeball, I’d almost feel bad for him.










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Comments

Meanwhile, Conan is in "burn it down" mode. Fisting jokes on the Tonight Show! Holy hell!

Posted by: sansho1 at January 15, 2010 9:10 AM

(cont.)

I'm sure Johnny would not approve. But then, his most famous line was comparing an arrow to a Jewish penis, so fuck him anyway.

Posted by: sansho1 at January 15, 2010 9:13 AM

I would love to watch this, but I can't deal with awkward. I'd just end up sitting under my desk with my fingers in my ears.

Posted by: Carrie (aka Teabelly) at January 15, 2010 9:16 AM

I think if Leno could've Force-choked Kimmel, we'd definitely know where the plans are.

Posted by: Ian at January 15, 2010 9:21 AM

Godtopus bless you Jimmy Kimmel. I love seeing Leno writhing in his own chin.

Posted by: admin at January 15, 2010 9:21 AM

@Carrie

Does that mean you've never watch The Office then?

Posted by: arrrghzi at January 15, 2010 9:27 AM

Yep. Cannot go near that show, or anything like it.

Posted by: Carrie (aka Teabelly) at January 15, 2010 9:30 AM

That seriously just made my week. I love watching celebrities squirm. Especially ones who may be used to making other people squirm.

Posted by: DeistBrawler at January 15, 2010 9:32 AM

Kornheiser looks almost exactly like my friend's dad, who coincidentally was the one actually behind Theismann's firing.

Posted by: Eep at January 15, 2010 9:35 AM

5 minutes of TV bliss. Lurv it.

Posted by: wsapnin at January 15, 2010 9:37 AM

@ Carrie
My husband is the same way. He made it through like 2 episodes of The Office. He hates awkward.

Posted by: Nimue at January 15, 2010 9:42 AM

Kimmel is awesome. No wonder he's fucking Ben Affleck.

Posted by: Bizarro Sofía at January 15, 2010 9:45 AM

Carrie, you're not alone. I'd love to watch this, but I know I'll just have to turn it off 30 seconds in. I also can't watch The Office for this very same reason. Cringers, unite!

Posted by: birdgal at January 15, 2010 9:50 AM

One day soon, the police will find big fat dead Leno hanging in the shower of some skeevy motel in the middle of nowhere with the corpse of a hooker in the trunk of his Ferrari in the parking lot.

Wait, can you even fit a dead hooker in the bonnet of a Ferrari? Would he have to drive one of his Mercedes instead? Oh the dilemma's one faces when rich!

Posted by: Xtreme at January 15, 2010 9:54 AM

This is fucking awesome.

Posted by: Daniel Carlson at January 15, 2010 10:01 AM

Dammit, now I have to wait till tonight to see what the awesome is about. Can't watch video at work....

Posted by: Wednesday at January 15, 2010 10:04 AM

My favorite line from Kimmel on MNF was when he said to Theismann, "Hey, Joe. How's the leg?"

Posted by: Tracer Bullet at January 15, 2010 10:07 AM

Wow, delurking to say that this is perhaps the best thing I have seen ever. Completely fucking awesome.

Posted by: HarperJay at January 15, 2010 10:10 AM

I'm pretty sure Leno knew what was coming when he asked Kimmel to be on. I was watching because Dwayne "Grrrr Baby" Johnson was on. They said Kimmel was on next, and I had to stay up a little later. I knew awesomeness was coming.

Posted by: Dingle Berry at January 15, 2010 10:19 AM

Kimmel has always been fearless. This one time when he hosted Larry King Live he called out a Gawker writer on her shit, and it was glorious. He showed no mercy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-avakrRUaU

Posted by: Bizarro Sofía at January 15, 2010 10:20 AM

Yep. Cannot go near that show, or anything like it.

I can't even watch "The Surreal Life". I'm a tension sponge--live or TV. Definitely can't watch cringe-comedy, intentional or not, by myself. I didn't watch the Colbert White House speech for a long time. I prefer to just read transcripts of this kind of thing.

Posted by: Jay at January 15, 2010 10:21 AM

On the one hand, I am over the late night wars. I say toss them all out except Craig Ferguson and shake up the line-ups.

On the other hand, I think this is a golden opportunity to bring in some new talent and make late night much more watchable. I sure Joan Rivers would gladly host The Tonight Show permanently, and RuPaul would kill it on Jimmy Kimmel's timeslot. Bring back the Osbourne variety show for counterprogramming on another network and, just for hahas, toss Tony Danza a bone. Get Rosie O'Donnel on board to do another talk show so Broadway actors get to perform for a national audience again and Boom. I just fixed late night TV.

Posted by: Robert at January 15, 2010 10:30 AM

Fuck, that was blunt, especially the bit about the cars vs the kids( which to be honest was a little unfair given that these guys chose to drag their families along in their pursuit of fame and fortune). But fuckit, if Leno demonstrated even the slightest acknowledgment that his behavior was questionable, THEN I might care.

Carrie- I'm in the same boat, but made it through relatively intact. Think of it less as "awkward" and more as "just desserts". Still, I haven't squirmed that much since Colbert's Press Corp Dinner, which still trumps anything I have seen for awkward awesomeness.

Posted by: Squirrelgripper at January 15, 2010 10:31 AM

Hmm, to be honest I didn't find that video particularly awkward or "fearless" as others have been saying. There's alot more he could have said and didn't...

Posted by: Chugga at January 15, 2010 10:38 AM

I prefer to just read transcripts of this kind of thing.

Yeah, that's what I did here, and then managed to sit through it. It wasn't so bad actually. Usually with anything where people can be humiliated I have to hide behind cushions and hum. OK, originally there I wrote cousins. I may have done that at some point too. Anything to barricade the images.

Posted by: Carrie (aka Teabelly) at January 15, 2010 10:44 AM

You know, they should really change that that phrase "In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes" to "In the future, everyone will have a late night talk show on NBC for 15 minutes." It's pretty accurate.

Posted by: Jeremy Feist at January 15, 2010 11:14 AM

I loved the clip. I didn't think it was awkward or squirmy at all, and this is from a person who finds The Office to squirmy for them. I thought the clip was funny and Leno knew what was coming.

Posted by: BWeaves at January 15, 2010 11:20 AM

Here's my favorite spin on this story. Entertainment Tonight Online presented Jimmy bashing Leno on his own show as "Jay Leno Grills Jimmy Kimmel About His 'Cruel Impression'" Biased much?

http://www.etonline.com/news/2010/01/82938/index.html

Posted by: mc at January 15, 2010 11:35 AM

Place me firmly in the likes to avoid uncomfortableness and can't watch the Office (or much of Sasha Baron Cohen for that matter) column!

Posted by: Alarmjaguar at January 15, 2010 11:47 AM

I enjoy Kimmel. I think he's closest out of all of them in being the next Letterman. He does always seem like (apart from this clip) he will ask anyone anything, regardless of how uncomfortable it might make the person, so anyone in the midst of some sort of controversy should not go on his show and expect him not to ask about it. Which is refreshing. I hate it when celebrities go on talk shows in an attempt (usually failed) to do damage control and the talk shows play along. If you pulled a dick move, admit it, don't expect everyone to kiss your ass and help you rehab your reputation.

If this bit with Leno was live (? I have no idea), I'd guess Kimmel figured he could say anything because there's no way they'd stop it. If it wasn't live, I'm guessing he wanted to see how much shit he could get away with saying and if they'd refuse to air it. So either way, I guess I gotta give Leno credit for letting it air.

Posted by: Slash at January 15, 2010 11:51 AM

That was awesome.

Posted by: TWoP Fan at January 15, 2010 11:56 AM

I am really liking Jimmy right now. That was brutal and awesome.

And, since Leno is trying to pretend he is some sort of victim, I have decided to place this everywhere I can today....

"Plus, I promised Mavis (his wife) I would take her out for dinner before I turned 60," Leno said.

Please click the link and spread the word.

Posted by: jadeblue at January 15, 2010 12:14 PM

Kimmel after Leno "offers" him the Tonight Show gig:

"Listen, Lucy, I'm not Charlie Brown, I don't fall for that trick!"

Kimmel was brilliant as the sports guy on KROQ, always knew he had a bright future. He was hilarious too on Monday Night Football, but that just Confused and Infuriated Middle America, so of course they pulled him.

Posted by: Bluesilver at January 15, 2010 12:17 PM

Hi, my name is Courtney and I'm a cringer. I'm a recovering second-hand embarrassment sufferer. Had to leave the room during Borat. Wish I could enjoy The Office to it's fullest potential, but often find myself covering my head with my shirt. Some of the Daily Show segments have caused me to lay on my bed in the fetal position. My husband forwarded the video referenced above but I will never watch it.

Posted by: courtney at January 15, 2010 12:21 PM

I was watching 30Rock on the DVR and when it ended and by pure luck the Leno Show popped up around question number 4. I rewinded this, grabbed Mrs. L.O.V.E., and laughed my ass off. Then rewinded and watched it again.

Posted by: L.O.V.E. at January 15, 2010 12:22 PM

I am a moderate cringe avoider, meaning, I can take a little skosh of cringe, but I could never watch something like, say, Borat. Too much cringe = fetal position.

But this video: A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

Posted by: MM at January 15, 2010 12:31 PM

That video was awesome wrapped in bacon!
sansho1, Conan has been off the chain the past few nights. Last night I almost choked to death I was laughing so hard! I wish he'd be this balls out all the time!

Posted by: trixie at January 15, 2010 12:59 PM

Oh, also, I too am a cringer. That's why I hate Idol auditions, karaoke and anything else where someone humiliates themselves in public.

Posted by: trixie at January 15, 2010 1:01 PM

Ok, ok, this cringer watched the video, if only because of all the comments stating it wasn't THAT bad--and I only cringed once and made it through the whole dang thing! It's like my own twelve step program for getting rid of the cringe! I think I was mostly scared b/c Rowles made it sound awkward with a capital A. Lies, all lies! Don't get me wrong, it was a great comeuppance for the chin, but it's not like he wouldn't expect some of Kimmel's answers based on his questions. Still worth watching though!

Posted by: birdgal at January 15, 2010 1:08 PM

I caught the first few moments of Leno after 30 Rock -- just long enough to watch the intro. Does he always have people from the audience come shake his hand? My God, that looks cheesy and staged. How needy is he?

Posted by: sansho1 at January 15, 2010 1:11 PM

A video that's a "Cringer" rocks, because by the power of Grayskull it can become Battle Cat.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at January 15, 2010 1:28 PM

Apparently I have a high tolerance for awkward. My husband does not--The Office makes him COVER HIS EYES. For real. Like it's a horror movie and he's a 12 year old. He has to leave the room.

But very little causes me to squirm. Hey, I'm not in the hotseat. That clip didn't do it for me, either, it just made my jaw hang down a bit at the chutzpah, but good on Kimmel.

I know someone who won't watch any show he thinks is "too mean" and that includes The Office. I tried to explain to him once that it's FICTIONAL. The Office is NOT a documentary. They are characters, played by actors. He didn't care.

I take it back, there's just one moment in all the seasons of The Office that I have to fast-forward over and it's from Phyllis' wedding, when Michael yells them to be husband and wife before the vows are done. Oh, that kills me. Can't watch that.

Posted by: Snuggiepants the Deathbringer at January 15, 2010 1:41 PM

Don't watch the 'Scott's Tots' episode.

Some pretty good jabs, I laughed. No way the Leno couldn't have seen them coming, though.

Posted by: Jo 'Mama' Besser at January 15, 2010 2:49 PM

Can't hear this clip so I read a transcript.

Ho. Lee. Fuck.

Posted by: , at January 15, 2010 2:59 PM

I have "Scott's Tots'" on my DVR. I haven't watched the full episode yet. I just fast forwarded any scene with that school. Could. not. deal.

I think thats the only episode that I couldn't even deal with WITH covering my eyes.

Posted by: Kate at January 15, 2010 3:05 PM

I don't know if Scott's Tots qualifies as merely awkward -- pulling the rug out from underneath some hardworking kids of modest means and then walking out the door? That just plain sucked to watch.

Posted by: sansho1 at January 15, 2010 3:19 PM

Felt staged to me, but still awkward nonetheless.

Posted by: Colin at January 15, 2010 3:33 PM

Honestly, the cynic and conspiracy theorist in me does wonder a little bit if all this isn't just a big stunt to revitalize late night television in general. I know it's not the case, but - regardless of which host is your preference - have we ever given all these guys this much attention at once? It sucks for Conan, and maybe Leno does have more of a villain image now, but it really does seem like a net gain in terms of publicity for all concerned.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at January 15, 2010 5:07 PM

Stop trying to make me like Kimmel. This is awesome. I can't...I just can't. I need to be by myself for a while...

Posted by: greer at January 15, 2010 5:51 PM

I'm sure Johnny would not approve. But then, his most famous line was comparing an arrow to a Jewish penis, so fuck him anyway.

First, it was a hatchet. Second, he didn't compare it to a Jewish penis; he compared it to a mohel's scalpel. And third, it was damn funny.

Posted by: Screwtape at January 15, 2010 5:51 PM

Oh yeah, Scott's Tots. Nevermind, that topped Phyllis' wedding. Absolutely.

Posted by: Snuggiepants the Deathbringer at January 15, 2010 6:01 PM

I'm with the cringers on the awkward stuff.
Except, oddly enough, Extras. But maybe that's because the celebrities are so brilliant at taking the piss out of themselves.

And except for this shit. My squirminess

Loved the Kimmel on Larry King clip above, too.
Could I be wrong about this guy?

Although, in my cynicaller moments (read: soberer), I find myself having the same thoughts about this as DarthCorleone. Maybe it's all a sham.

Posted by: Odnon at January 15, 2010 6:15 PM

I can handle fictional discomfort(and adore The Office), but when it comes to real life, I stand firmly among the cringers. Ugh, Idol...the backstabby confrontational meanness of Survivor and its ilk...Borat....our bitchy useless secretary getting fired (seriously, when she got called into the boss's office, I went to the gym so I could avoid the fallout). Can't handle that.

That said, I figure those who can dish it out can probably take it as well, so I think I'll check out the video.

Posted by: meaux at January 15, 2010 6:15 PM

BAH! Bugger, it's blocked to Canadians anyway.

Posted by: meaux at January 15, 2010 6:26 PM

I'm wondering if this was all a set-up on Leno's part. It looks perfectly scripted to let Kimmel rip on him. So I'm asking myself, why would anyone do this? Why would Leno invite Kimmel to unload on him, and why would Leno be a willing participant?

And then I remembered why forest firefighters set little fires to contain bigger ones.

So you essentially draft somebody to say to you, in front of millions of people, all the worst things anyone could say. (The line about cars and kids was particularly brutal.)

Now what is there left for your critics to hit you with? Kind of like Hugh Grant earned a pass after (ironically) Leno asked him, "What the hell were you thinking?" Having asked the question millions of people wanted to ask Grant themselves, the healing could begin.

Millions of people would like to tell Leno what a jerk he's being. Leno found a surrogate for them to take the hate* off, or down a few degrees at least.

Leno and his people ain't stupid, and I don't blame them for trying all the spin/damage control angles they can think of. If Kimmel willingly played a winking part in a camoflage attempt, though, I think he loses a ton of credibility.

*--Yes, that was supposed to be "heat," but I like my typo better.

Posted by: , at January 15, 2010 6:32 PM

Leno forgot the #1 rule of comedians...Never go toe to toe with someone smarter and funnier than you.

Posted by: wsapnin at January 15, 2010 7:12 PM

BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL -- I HAAAVE THE POOOWEEERR!!!

Cuz you're all cringers. Get it?

*walks away disgraced*

Posted by: superasente at January 15, 2010 7:23 PM

superasente >> Not as disgraced as I am. Go back up the thread to my first comment. Were you echoing me, or did we really have the same thought process on this one?

Posted by: DarthCorleone at January 15, 2010 8:09 PM

I didn't see your comment, DC. It's tucked away like a beautiful gem.

I guess it's true what they say about great minds -- y'know, that we have brains.

...er somthin'.

*satisfied hum*

Posted by: superasente at January 15, 2010 8:28 PM

I'm sure this has already been said but this whole thing reminds me of Network, and Conan's playing as Howard Beale. He's MAD AS HELL AND HE'S NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE!(Back to indoor voice)

Since all the networks are owned by about 5 companies, this may all be a clever ruse to get people watching the late night tv. I know I hadn't tuned in to Conan or Jay for years. And I'm watching.

Now leave me as I try to get as high as Kevin Eubanks.

Posted by: Uppity B4 Noon at January 15, 2010 8:29 PM

Yeah, you're right, it was a hatchet. But the throw was what was funny, because it was completely unexpected -- the Jew crack added nothing.

Posted by: sansho1 at January 15, 2010 9:40 PM

@Carrie agreed on The Office. Also because when I have seen it I just thought it was stupid.


I always get Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon confused. Now that can be awkward.

Posted by: grace b at January 15, 2010 11:23 PM

I want nothing more than to jump Kimmel's bones right now. For the love of fuck.

Oh boy.

Fin.

Posted by: Tid Bit at January 16, 2010 1:54 AM

Leno made his career on the Tonight Show by kissing jew ass, so it's great to see a jew like Kimmel show him how much appreciation he deserves.

I stopped watching that crap show after he had Halle Berry's joke about looking like a jew deleted, but constantly makes jokes about other races.

Posted by: zakimar at January 16, 2010 9:36 AM

That wasn't nearly as bad as I thought (hoped) it'd be. Kimmel will say anything, and he is hilarious. And I wish he'd been more merciless, but the Charlie Brown line was awesome.

But Leno did not seem bothered by anything Kimmel said. No shame. No humility. Not grateful at all, for such an unfunny and apparently unpopular individual. Unpopular at 10pm, anyway.

Posted by: Chickaboom at January 16, 2010 10:58 AM

Fucking brillballs.

Posted by: The Pink Hulk at January 16, 2010 12:56 PM

Struggling in the early part of your career? http://AgelessMeet.com/ opens opportunities to meet attractive young girls and treat you like a king.

Posted by: Helen at January 17, 2010 5:37 AM