Tag: jimmy kimmel

Does Jimmy Kimmel hate Jay Leno? and is Jay completely oblivious to it? It seems that way. and I have more evidence than just the recent appearance of Kimmel on the now canceled Jay Leno Show.

Lets step back to November 2008 when Jay Leno was kind enough to appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Normally, the rival late night show that came in 3rd place in the ratings having the 1st place ratings winner appear as a guest would be a really gracious thing. But… watch the clip and tell me if you don’t get the impression that Kimmel doesn’t like Jay very much. At first I thought it was Jimmy being Jimmy mixed with a little “I want the competition I’m losing to to quit for obvious reasons” humor, but under closer inspection… I’m thinking notsomuch.

Jay graces Kimmel with 2 off-the-cuff personal stories that are both well delivered and interesting to listen to. Kimmel repays these by first tweaking him on his childrens book being advertised by a 99 cent store and then asking why its not just a better idea to stay on the road all the time instead of being a television host.

Jump forward to 2010 during the turmoil going on at NBC’s late night hosts and Jimmy Kimmel takes advantage by doing his entire show as Jay Leno. Awesome idea, funny execution – but look closely… is it all fun and games? or is this less of a silly jab and more of a satirical attack because Kimmel really thinks Jay is an asshole?

If that left you with any doubt, there is exhibit C… Seemingly to show grace in response to Kimmels gag on Leno and express that there were no hard feelings between the two, Kimmel was invited on The Jay Leno Show for the 10 and 10 segment (the weakest bit in the shows box of tricks). It’s friggin brutal…

Some of the riffs are just that but then others reek of an insulting tone. Even Kimmels body language tips the viewer off that he thinks he’s talking to an asshole, but is being somewhat civil because they’re on tv. It’s very awkward in between the hilarity.

Are they low blows though? “The best prank I ever pulled was I told a guy that—five years from now—I’m gonna give you my show. And then when the five years came, I gave it to him, and then I took it back almost instantly.” is a funny line, but it’s not accurate. No one has reported that Leno demanded his show back or had such a clause in his contract or threw any fits or anything like that.

The resentment should be at NBC, who has both Leno and Conan under strict and specific contracts. It wasn’t Jay Leno that said “I’m bored with the Tonight Show – hey Conan, do you want it? – oh, actually, never mind, I want that shit back”; it was NBC who said “hey Leno, we don’t want to lose Conan so we’re kicking you out but not releasing you from your NBC contract. we’re gonna stick you in at 10pm and put Conan in your job – oh, actually, never mind, that failed. we’re putting you back at 11:30”.

So what’s the deal? Why is Kimmel hating on Jay? and why does Jay seem so oblivious to it? It seems so cruel. am I missing something?