Sunday, July 15, 2001
Five Questions with: Jimmy Kimmel
People think of Jimmy Kimmel as a comedian working as a sportscaster. But Kimmel, the jester of the Fox pregame show, actually did sports for a Los Angeles rock station for six years before landing the Fox gig. One of the executive producers from Fox heard Kimmel on the radio and turned him loose on the American public.
Kimmel also stars on Comedy Central's The Man Show and used to be on Win Ben Stein's Money.
He was in town Saturday playing in the Fifth Third/Fox 19 Celebrity Golf Classic.
“I'm a terrible golfer,” he said, “and I mean terrible.”
But he bought new clubs and flew all night from L.A., despite being sick, to play in the tourney his Fox buddy Cris Collinsworth founded.
“Jimmy's my main man,” Collinsworth said. “Now, go talk to him and tell him to tear me up.”
With that, Enquirer reporter John Fay cornered Kimmel and asked him five questions:
1. If you had to trade hair with one of your fellow Fox panelists — Cris, Howie Long, Terry Bradshaw or James Brown — whose would it be?
That's a tough question. None of them are a great deal. Probably Cris. I don't know if you know this, but Cris attempted a new style last year: the George Clooney look. But he got heckled so bad, he changed it after four days. But Terry's got nothing to trade. Howie looks like Frankenstein. And I'd look ridiculous with J.B.'s hair. So, yeah, Cris.
2. Is your Man Show partner, Adam Carolla, jealous of your sports career?
Yes, terribly so. I have to have people taste my beer on the show. No, he's actually happy for me, and I'm happy for him. He wishes me well. He knows I did sports for six years.
3. You're rough on Fox panelists. Do they ever really get mad at you?
Almost every week, someone's mad at me. Seriously mad. Last year at the beginning, Terry demanded that I not be allowed to make fun of him. Then he lambasted me two straight weeks. I told the producers: “This isn't going to work. It has to go both ways. Make a decision.”
4. Why do they keep you in a separate studio?
They let me in the studio once. They were terrified with me being live. I'm used to Comedy Central, where you can say anything. I made a (joking) reference to Terry ... That was it. I'm not allowed to do anything live anymore.
5. How serious do you take your football duties?
Not seriously at all. I drink beer and watch the games. I don't read a lot about football or look at scouting reports or any real information. You know why? Because it's all nonsense. Whenever they pick games, one of the girls from Baywatch beats Dan Marino.
Check out our Tristate golf guide for a directory and features on local courses, tournament coverage and other news.
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Five Questions with: Jimmy Kimmel
