this was fun - but I have to write jokes now. thanks to reddit for having me and thank you for (most of) your questions - I'll do this again soon.

Comments: 2583 • Responses: 49  • Date: 

JamesBatmanKimmel677 karma

I have to get to work now. I'll come back later to answer more. This was fun - thanks for giving a shit.

crazystar554 karma

Why is it called Jimmy kimmel live even though it's not live?

Edit: stop down voting me. It's a genuine question!

JamesBatmanKimmel744 karma

we used to be live - but too much "filth" was going out unbleeped, so ABC made us tape an hour before we air. At that point, we'd established the name of the show and changing it was not sensible. stationery is expensive

ChocoboExodus477 karma

When Sarah Silverman first did the "I'm fucking Matt Damon" video on your show, had you seen it before or was that actually a surprise for you?

JamesBatmanKimmel709 karma

it was a complete surprise.

squirlynuts23448 karma

Mr.Kimmel.

I just wanted to say that your tribute to Uncle Frank was amazing, and from those of us who saw a little our own lost loved ones in him.....he will be missed.

I dont really have any questions, other than to say you do late night RIGHT, and have always been the top of the totem polem comedically for myself.

Keep on keepin on jimmy!

JamesBatmanKimmel844 karma

thank you, squirlynuts

needcontacts408 karma

Favorite television series currently running?

JamesBatmanKimmel1497 karma

Breaking Bad

bluthru123 karma

Couldn't have asked for a better season finale.

JamesBatmanKimmel478 karma

I think they set it up so Gus can be the villain in the next Batman movie.

CharlieSheeny399 karma

In 2006, you were sitting in for Adam Carrolla on his morning radio show when his twins were being born. Joe Rogan was a guest on the show and I was part of a segment because I got into a Myspace argument with Joe Rogan after telling him that "I hate you, you're not funny." My question is this... I asked if you would send me out a windbreaker and you said Yes! It has now been over 5 years and I am still hoping to get my windbreaker. Any chance that is ever going to happen?

GonzoVeritas243 karma

No one has ever been sent a windbreaker. As you probably know, that is Adam's running joke. I hope you get it, as that would be awesome.

JamesBatmanKimmel290 karma

correct. It was a joke.

WhyHellYeah388 karma

How come you never return my calls?

JamesBatmanKimmel927 karma

I feel like we've drifted apart

stil10377 karma

I used to love the Man Show back in the day, but I always wondered, in the segments where you guys or the Man Show boy used to go up to strangers and say random shit to them or get them to say random shit, was that ever staged or were those people all really random strangers? How often did you guys get recognized, and was there any time that a stranger realized you were fucking with them and got angry?

JamesBatmanKimmel674 karma

that was never staged. the man show boy was a funny kid named aaron hamill (not andy milonakis, as some believe). people were always nice to a little kid, but as the years went on, Aaron got taller - and as he grew, so did anger from guys he was screwing with. we eventually had to stop doing it, for fear of getting him punched.

freddiew361 karma

Thanks for having us on a few weeks ago!

JamesBatmanKimmel260 karma

it was my pleasure - anyone who asks how to make it in comedy should just pay close attention to what you guys do

Uriah_Heep345 karma

Why are you squinting? It's not even that bright.

JamesBatmanKimmel557 karma

I am naturally squinty. some believe I am stoned. I wish I had that excuse.

bulletproof_tiger271 karma

i've had an erection for more than four hours. what is my best course of action?

JamesBatmanKimmel1125 karma

get your mother involved

uplinx248 karma

What would you say the was your make or break moment in your career?

JamesBatmanKimmel520 karma

there have been many, but if I had to pick one it would probably be a live presentation of a game show I did (Win Ben Stein's Money) Ben and I did the show for a hundred Tv execs. It went exceptionally well, but only Comedy Central (then, a tiny cable network) was interested

mrshabadoo247 karma

Hey Jimmy, I used to listen to you when you were the sports guy on KROQ. Is there anything you miss from the small time days or is the success overwhelmingly awesome?

JamesBatmanKimmel441 karma

I miss a lot of things from radio. I miss the immediacy, the profanity, I miss many of the people I worked with - especially Kevin, Bean, and Ralph...I don't miss getting fired every ten months and having to move to a new city.

lemongrenade234 karma

Was there any backlash from reaming out Leno on air?

JamesBatmanKimmel989 karma

yes, I am no longer allowed to ride on the back of the only steam powered jalopy in Burbank

Hrodrik229 karma

What is your favorite late night talk show, besides yours?

JamesBatmanKimmel510 karma

I am and have always been in awe of David Letterman

[deleted]213 karma

I always regarded you as my favorite late night show host. What was highs school like for you and what clique (jocks, nerds, whores, late night show hosts) would you say you were in?

JamesBatmanKimmel976 karma

I wasnt really in one. I was in the "kids who made fun of all the kids in cliques" cliques. and, as a result of that, the virgin clique too.

stiltd683202 karma

Did you actually fuck Ben Affleck?

JamesBatmanKimmel638 karma

we call it lovemaking

mk455196 karma

Why do you keep getting skinnier? I like fat Jimmy.

JamesBatmanKimmel549 karma

he'll be back.

superhash193 karma

What is the most unmanliest thing you have ever done?

JamesBatmanKimmel851 karma

this

errday168 karma

In the man show episode where you go to Snoop's house, did you actually smoke with him? You and Adam looked legitimately baked when you came out of that room.

JamesBatmanKimmel331 karma

I'll let you decide

inb4shitstorm166 karma

Not American, so I havent watched your show... except for the Norm Macdonald interview on YouTube.

How was Norm like? :D

JamesBatmanKimmel706 karma

Norm like good. Norm good funny.

Harooo158 karma

Are you friends with Stephen Colbert or John Stewart and how do you feel about their shows?

JamesBatmanKimmel257 karma

yes and yes - and they are as great off the air as they are on it.

gwm21157 karma

Was the episode where you got "bit" by the snake on air your idea? I remember watching this as a little kid and thinking you were actually hurt.

JamesBatmanKimmel306 karma

it was, yes. we kept that a secret even from most of our crew. people were freaked out and some were even angry with me. it was fun though - like watching your own funeral

NateTheGreat8148 karma

How difficult is it to come up with monologue material on a nightly basis?

JamesBatmanKimmel426 karma

some days it is a lot easier than others. guys texting photographs of their genitals definitely helps.

spryor13130 karma

Are you listening to Howard Stern right now?

JamesBatmanKimmel212 karma

I was in the car on the way over. Bai Ling

CheckMyJunk127 karma

Are you my father?

JamesBatmanKimmel645 karma

Yes, but "Asking for money for yourself will get you banned."

[deleted]124 karma

Who came up with the Matt Damon joke? It cracks me up every time...

Been a big fan since the beginning. Sorry about your uncle, that was a pretty moving show when you came back from vacation though.

JamesBatmanKimmel234 karma

thank you. it was an off-hand joke at the end of a season one show. we had terrible guests that night and, to amuse our producer Jason Schrift, I jokingly apologized to Matt Damon for bumping him. I started doing it regularly just to make Jason laugh, and from there....

io242124 karma

What is your opinion on the Occupy movement?

JamesBatmanKimmel482 karma

I am always glad to see people doing something - even if doing something looks like doing nothing. We are all far too complacent. We complain and complain about the people we elect without pointing a finger where we should - at ourselves for doing nothing about it. And with that said, I will now do nothing about it

mazzlebazzle118 karma

What was it like starting a talk show with people who had never worked in TV before, specifically Bill Simmons? His retelling of the build up to the show launch makes it seem like he had no idea what he was doing but making it up as he went along.

JamesBatmanKimmel172 karma

Bill's retelling of the tale was spot-on. we had no idea what we were doing. and it is possible that we still don't.

xxtzhar113 karma

Is your middle name really Batman?

JamesBatmanKimmel269 karma

yep

professorhazard103 karma

I'd love to hear more about the Fox, that elderly band leader you guys had on the Man Show who could drain a pint in seconds.

JamesBatmanKimmel190 karma

he was (and always will be) the fastest beer drinker in the world. I loved that man. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-XgsgTI_Lw

moosmoos98 karma

Bill Simmons, how did the connection happen between you guys?

JamesBatmanKimmel140 karma

I read his column regularly and loved it. When I got the ABC show, I reached out to him. He was reluctant to move out of Boston, but was unable to resist being so close to the 90210 beach house.

jesuswithoutabeard86 karma

  1. I'm CDN, so thanks for not making the YouTube clips region specific.

  2. You're awesomely hilarious, but you already knew that. My favourite skit was the drunk pilot stunt. Master troll material.

  3. What's your logline-length advice for kids who want to get into the entertainment industry? (not porn)

JamesBatmanKimmel186 karma

  1. make funny videos and put them on the Internet. If they are great, people will pass them around. I promise.

its_a_nati_bro78 karma

How long did it take you to film the Handsome Men's Club?

Were there any other people you wanted to get in that skit but were unable to?

JamesBatmanKimmel114 karma

it took weeks. we pieced it all together. I still dont know how they did it. And yes, there were people we asked - Clooney, Pitt, and a few others who - for a variety of reasons, couldn't or wouldn't.

Chamanzan76 karma

Will Santa Carl be making an appearance this year?

JamesBatmanKimmel126 karma

he do!

[deleted]72 karma

Hey when are you going to do Maron's podcast? I have a pretty deep suspicion that you've got some of the best stories in the business. It'd be pretty great if you shared them in a format like that.

JamesBatmanKimmel97 karma

very soon. we have something on the calendar.

bensjammins62 karma

Are you always stoned, or are your eyes just very small?

JamesBatmanKimmel216 karma

I have the skin and eyes of a baby

localtaxpayer59 karma

The late night talk show field has gotten really overcrowded over the past ten years. What used to be just Jay followed by Conan vs. Dave, has become Jay followed by Jimmy followed by Carson Daly (lol, you've left your TV on and fallen asleep) vs. Dave followed by Ferguson vs. You vs. Stewart and Colbert vs. Conan vs. Chelsea Lately...

Is this a concern to you and the other executive producers? What are some of the ways your show tries to stand out among this crowded field?

JamesBatmanKimmel109 karma

not really. if it was an intimate party, we probably wouldnt have been invited to attend.

ambroseburns59 karma

What is your opinion on the job Joe Rogan and Doug Stanhope did in replacing Adam Carrola and yourself as hosts of the Man Show?

JamesBatmanKimmel195 karma

with the producers they got stuck with, they never had a chance...

Modestjake57 karma

What is Guillermo like in reality? Is he more like how he acts on the show or is he completely different?

JamesBatmanKimmel101 karma

he makes me laugh every time I see him. It is hard to resist pinching him on the cheek

soupaFREEK56 karma

Do you ever pee with your eyes closed and feel really awesome when it actually goes in the toilet?

JamesBatmanKimmel208 karma

I'm excited if I can do that with my eyes open

parkerreal51 karma

As one ASU dropout to the next, best decision or greatest decision?

JamesBatmanKimmel101 karma

not really a decision. I got a radio job in Seattle and departed college immediately.

slimkidchris45 karma

Your Toronto video was hilarious. How did you enjoy your stay? Favorite place or restaurant to visit?

JamesBatmanKimmel166 karma

I love Toronto. And Vancouver. And Montreal. I would seriously consider moving to Canada.

atanincrediblerate41 karma

People tell me I look like you all the time. I try my hardest not to be offended. What's your opinion? Me

JamesBatmanKimmel178 karma

I'm trying my hardest not to be offended

MDCisgoodforme39 karma

How much say do you have for the musical guests appearing on your show?

JamesBatmanKimmel111 karma

I am all-powerful

igacek35 karma

Best memory of The Man Show?

JamesBatmanKimmel109 karma

when the monkey shit on the dwarf in the hot tub full of tequila...or something like that

noconfidenceman12 karma

How much of "Between Two Ferns" with Zach Galifinakas was scripted? You were hilarious on that BTW.

JamesBatmanKimmel19 karma

none of it - thank you