Fresh Air – "Jimmy Kimmel’s Path To Late Night"

Date: September 26, 2025
Host: Terry Gross
Guest: Jimmy Kimmel
Also featuring: TV critic David Bianculli

Main Theme

This episode of Fresh Air revisits a 2013 in-depth interview with late night host Jimmy Kimmel amidst the backdrop of recent political controversy surrounding Kimmel and his show’s suspension and subsequent reinstatement. The conversation explores Kimmel’s career trajectory—from his early fascination with late night TV and radio beginnings to his challenges as a talk show host, his comedic influences, and the threads of family and originality that run through his work.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Recent Kimmel Controversy (00:17–03:41)

• Background:
  David Bianculli recaps how Jimmy Kimmel Live was recently pulled from the ABC lineup following Kimmel’s pointed political monologues, particularly satirizing Donald Trump, and how affiliate backlash led to a temporary shutdown before public and Hollywood support brought the show back.
  • “Many cities still couldn't see the broadcast because those same ABC affiliate station group owners preempted his show in Seattle, Portland, New Orleans, Nashville, Washington, D.C. and elsewhere.” (01:20)
• Kimmel’s Stance:
  Kimmel addresses why he lampoons Trump:

  “I talk about Trump more than anything because he’s a bully. I don’t like bullies. I played the clarinet in high school, okay? … Donald Trump is an old fashioned, 80s movie style bully taking your lunch money, and if you give it to him once, he’ll take it again. Two things he loves: lunch and money.” (Jimmy Kimmel, 02:04)

Entering the 11:30 Slot: The Dream Job (03:41–05:45)

• Symbolism of The Timeslot:
  Kimmel expresses what moving from midnight to 11:30 meant to him, especially in the tradition of Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show.

  “It’s like being a baseball fan all your life and getting to be an announcer.” (Jimmy Kimmel, 04:01)

• Late Night Competition:
  “It really is too much…with the network shows it’s done more traditionally…maybe even couples sitting there, families watching television at the end of the day. And it’s just...I don’t know if it’s uniquely American, but I suspect that it is.” (Jimmy Kimmel, 04:35)

The Changing Landscape of Watching TV (05:01–05:45)

• Kimmel recounts staying up late to watch Letterman and the challenges before on-demand and YouTube:

  “…I would have friends tape the show for me, friends who had a VCR… It’s our version of walking without shoes through the snow to school.” (Jimmy Kimmel, 05:09)

Obsession With Originality & Late Night Craft (06:22–07:25)

• Rolling Stone describes Kimmel as obsessive about not duplicating other hosts’ jokes. He clarifies:

  “It’s mostly because I think it’s important to be original. I would hate the idea that people think we’re stealing jokes. So I want to make sure we don’t, even if it’s an accident.” (Jimmy Kimmel, 06:44)

Deep Admiration for David Letterman (07:25–10:43)

• Kennedy Center Tribute:
  Kimmel’s speech for Letterman:

  “Every night I wanted to be David Letterman. All my friends wanted to be David Letterman…But Dave, whether you like it or not, you are my hero.” (Jimmy Kimmel, 07:44)

• Founding the Letterman Club:
  As a teen, Kimmel hosted Letterman-themed parties, crafted props and buttons, and never considered a talk show career as feasible:

  “Even though I knew the names of every writer on late night, it never occurred to me that you could get a job as a writer. I was not a bright kid.” (Jimmy Kimmel, 10:43)

Early Career and Path to Broadcasting (11:34–13:16)

• Intended to Be an Artist:
  Kimmel originally aspired to be an artist until discovering Letterman started in radio.
• Radio Origin Story:
  • Inspired by Howard Stern, started at KUNV (Las Vegas college public radio).
  • “Just the idea of broadcasting was…really excited me. I worked for years for free. I just loved every bit of it.” (Jimmy Kimmel, 12:53)

The Leap to Late Night TV (13:49–15:18)

• Early Challenges:
  Kimmel details the chaos and insecurity of launching a nightly talk show:

  “Every night, every day, it was like trying not to drown, just trying to get a show on the air… I even went through a period where I secretly hoped ABC would cancel the show…” (Jimmy Kimmel, 14:10)

• Pressure & Reluctance to Quit:
  He expresses the emotional complexity and responsibility to his team.

Transition from Radio to TV—The Role of Guests (15:18–16:22)

• Relentless Pressure:
  Kimmel highlights the key difference: in radio, he could be self-sufficient, but in TV, he was dependent on guests and collaborators, and that was a challenge.

Performance & The Value of Live Shows (16:22–17:37)

• Paradox of Relaxation:
  While the prep was stressful, performing itself felt relaxing:

  “Once the show starts, everything’s…the work is done so you can relax in a way … For me, doing the show is kind of the best part of the day.” (Jimmy Kimmel, 16:42–17:37)

Family As Core to the Show (17:37–19:47)

• Family Involvement:
  From band leader to writers and talent, Jimmy has woven his family deeply into every facet of his show.

  “My best friend since I was nine years old. He lived across the street from me and his dad is in the band too. But my aunt Chippy is on the show. My cousin Sal is a regular and a writer on the show. My brother’s a director…” (Jimmy Kimmel, 17:54)

• On Why He Did It:
  Initially a necessity, but it became an asset—his uncle Frank, for example, became a signature character.

The Legend of Uncle Frank (21:54–25:01)

• Uncle Frank’s Confusion:
  He thought he’d be head of security, not onscreen talent.
• Family Stories:
  “Wherever he was, he was ready to leave and wherever he was headed, he was ready to go there. I think it was anxiety more than anything, but it tickled us.” (Jimmy Kimmel, 23:29)

Comedy Born from Family Oddness (25:01–26:58)

• Audio-Taping Dinners:
  As a kid, Jimmy recorded family meals on cassette, then replayed and memorized the lines with his cousin, creating routines:

  “He'll never invent the airplane. He'll never invent the light bulb. He's lucky if he knows how to turn one on.” (Aunt Chippy quote, 26:25)

• Book of Imagined Aunt Chippy Quotes:
  “We'd write things down that we think Aunt Chippy might have said.” (Jimmy Kimmel, 26:33)

The Matt Damon Running Gag (26:58–28:50)

• The Origin:
  What started as an offhand joke—apologizing to Matt Damon for not having time at the end of a bad show—became a beloved recurring bit.

  “Matt Damon was just the first name that popped in my head. I was just trying to think of an A list star and somebody that we absolutely would not bump if he was on the show.” (Jimmy Kimmel, 27:30)

• Audience Reception:
  “The legs on this bit are unbelievable to me. People laugh every time I say it. You'd think eventually people will get tired of it, but they don't.” (Jimmy Kimmel, 28:50)

Closing Reflections & Outtakes

• Reading Mean Tweets:
  Kimmel confirms he reads all the mean tweets about him:

  “If you have something terrible to say about me, trust that it is going to hit home.” (Jimmy Kimmel, 29:19)

• Best Insult:
  “Maybe the most insulting thing is when they tell you you look just like their brother and then include a picture of their brother and their brother's a big fat slob. It's a compliment. Those are the worst.” (Jimmy Kimmel, 29:43)
• Appreciation:
  “I listen to you all the time, and I appreciate being asked to be a part of the show. I feel like a real person now.” (Jimmy Kimmel, 28:58)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump & Bullies (02:04):
  “I talk about Trump more than anything because he’s a bully. I don’t like bullies…Donald Trump is an old fashioned, 80s movie style bully taking your lunch money and if you give it to him once, he’ll take it again.” – Jimmy Kimmel

• On Letterman as a Hero (07:44):
  “Every night I wanted to be David Letterman. All my friends wanted to be David Letterman…But Dave, whether you like it or not, you are my hero.” – Jimmy Kimmel

• On Family Involvement (17:54):
  “My best friend since I was nine years old…my aunt Chippy is on the show. My cousin Sal is a regular and a writer…My brother’s a director on the show. My fiancée is the co-head writer.”

• On Starting Out in Radio (12:53):
  “Just the idea of broadcasting was…really excited me. I worked for years for free. I just loved every bit of it.”

• On the Matt Damon gag (28:50):
  “The legs on this bit are unbelievable to me. People laugh every time I say it…You’d think eventually people will get tired of it, but they don’t.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Kimmel vs. ABC/Trump controversy: 00:17–03:41
• Kimmel on late night symbolism and nostalgia: 03:41–05:45
• Obsession with originality: 06:22–07:25
• Letterman Tribute: 07:25–10:43
• Early ambitions & radio beginnings: 11:34–13:16
• Launching Jimmy Kimmel Live & anxieties: 13:49–15:18
• Family at the heart of the show: 17:37–19:47
• Uncle Frank stories: 21:54–25:01
• Origins of Matt Damon bit: 26:58–28:50
• Closing reflections and reading mean tweets: 29:19–29:43

Tone and Style

• Candid, humorous, self-deprecating, with deep affection for family and comedic heroes. The conversation blends warmth and honesty with the sharp wit and playful asides characteristic of Kimmel’s public persona.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This engaging episode traces Jimmy Kimmel’s unlikely path from devoted late night fan and chronicler of family quirks to a staple of American late night TV—and now a figure at the heart of a free speech debate. Kimmel’s reflections reveal the anxieties and joys of the job, the deep influence of David Letterman, the value of originality, and the way personal history and improvisation shape the tradition of late night. Candid family anecdotes and the origins of famous running bits like the Matt Damon joke offer insight into Kimmel’s comedic DNA. It’s a funny, grounded, and open conversation about the making of a modern late night host.