SALON

Sunday, Nov 4, 2012 9:00 PM UTC

Jimmy Kimmel: Not everyone in Hollywood is a liberal

Jimmy Kimmel says his show has conservative writers, aims to make fun of both sides and can't resist a dog joke

By

Topics: Late Night, Interviews, TV, Jimmy Kimmel, Mitt Romney, Television, jimmy kimmel live, ,

Jimmy Kimmel: Not everyone in Hollywood is a liberal (Credit: AP/Matt Sayles)

The presidential election will end one way or another on Tuesday. Most Americans will be relieved to be done with the uncertainty and the attack ads, but there are a number of professions that will find themselves at a loss: pundits, political writers, losing candidates and late-night hosts among them. For months and months, late-night TV has gotten to gorge itself on the intensity and inanity of the election cycle and its bottomless helpings of gaffe upon gaffe.

How have they feasted in a non-partisan manner? And what will they eat when it’s over? As we approach the election’s resolution, Jimmy Kimmel answered such questions. In the lobby of BAM’s Harvey theater in Brooklyn, where he was taping a stand of shows the same week that Hurricane Sandy arrived, Kimmel spoke about covering the election, staying balanced — and why political dog jokes are always funny.

I wanted to ask you some questions about the election …

About the election? Oh, I don’t want to do that. I just hate that stuff.

Not like who you’re going to vote for, but [what it's like] making the show in election season.

All right, ask me the questions.

Is it hard to strike a balance between what’s funny and what’s partisan?

It is a challenge. Like we had the first lady on, so we had to make sure we offered a spot to Ann Romney, because we want to be fair. She didn’t take us up on it, but definitely that’s part of it. And people think everyone in Hollywood is a liberal, and it’s not really true. You have certain members of your writing staff that are conservative, and they write from their point of view. And of course the majority of them aren’t, and they write from their point of view. My job is to try and keep it balanced.

You did a sketch at one point with Matthew Fox playing Mitt Romney in “The Dockers of Destiny” that seemed sort of exactly like a political sketch that is not sharp-elbowed at all.

Well, that specifically … I’ve always marveled at the fact that Matthew Fox looks a lot like Mitt Romney, and I’ve wanted to do something Mitt Romney–related with him for a long time. But I think when people are looking to attach a partisan label to something, it’s very easy to do that. But really I don’t care about any of that. I just want to put funny bits on the air.

You’re a very straightforward guy. Is it difficult not to say whatever you want about this stuff?

I do say whatever I want. I just try to keep in mind that mine is not a political show and that our audience is split half and half, and people are very emotional about this stuff. And I just try and spread the ribbing around.

Is this a fun time of year for you and the writers?

It is. This is something I was just saying to the writers the other day: When the election is over, there will be a bit of a vacuum for us because there’s so much material that comes out of it every day, day after day. When it goes away, you have to readjust, and sometimes that’s hard to do.

Has there been anything in particular that’s happened this election cycle where you’ve just been like, this is a gift from the comedy gods.

There have been a few things. The dog on top of the car and then the eating of the dog. Dog related things are always funny. Another thing, when Mitt Romney sang “Who Let the Dogs Out” in front of a group of black voters, that was fun. Any time anyone does something stupid. Luckily most of it seems to be on videotape, and we’re just delighted, no matter which side it comes from.

The longer you do this job, the more of an insider you become. You hosted the White House Correspondents Dinner this year. Does it make it harder to make fun of politicians when you know them?

It really doesn’t. I think everybody knows what the deal is when it comes to politics. I think it does matter more in Hollywood. If you have a friend who’s a celebrity who is in a terrible movie, you will be less inclined to make fun of them. But in politics, I think everyone’s fair game.

Willa Paskin

Willa Paskin is Salon's staff TV writer. More Willa Paskin.

You Might Also Like

More Related Stories

Featured Slide Shows

7 motorist-friendly camping sites

close X
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 9

Sponsored Post

  • White River National Forest via Lower Crystal Lake, Colorado
    For those OK with the mainstream, White River Forest welcomes more than 10 million visitors a year, making it the most-visited recreation forest in the nation. But don’t hate it for being beautiful; it’s got substance, too. The forest boasts 8 wilderness areas, 2,500 miles of trail, 1,900 miles of winding service system roads, and 12 ski resorts (should your snow shredders fit the trunk space). If ice isn’t your thing: take the tire-friendly Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway — 82 miles connecting the towns of Meeker and Yampa, half of which is unpaved for you road rebels.
    fs.usda.gov/whiteriveryou


    Image credit: Getty

  • Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest via Noontootla Creek, Georgia
    Boasting 10 wildernesses, 430 miles of trail and 1,367 miles of trout-filled stream, this Georgia forest is hailed as a camper’s paradise. Try driving the Ridge and Valley Scenic Byway, which saw Civil War battles fought. If the tall peaks make your engine tremble, opt for the relatively flat Oconee National Forest, which offers smaller hills and an easy trail to the ghost town of Scull Shoals. Scaredy-cats can opt for John’s Mountain Overlook, which leads to twin waterfalls for the sensitive sightseer in you.
    fs.usda.gov/conf


    Image credit: flickr/chattoconeenf

  • Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area via Green Road, Michigan
    The only national forest in Lower Michigan, the Huron-Mainstee spans nearly 1 million acres of public land. Outside the requisite lush habitat for fish and wildlife on display, the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area is among the biggest hooks for visitors: offering beach camping with shores pounded by big, cerulean surf. Splash in some rum and you just might think you were in the Caribbean.
    fs.usda.gov/hmnf


    Image credit: umich.edu

  • Canaan Mountain via Backcountry Canaan Loop Road, West Virginia
    A favorite hailed by outdoorsman and author Johnny Molloy as some of the best high-country car camping sites anywhere in the country, you don’t have to go far to get away. Travel 20 miles west of Dolly Sods (among the busiest in the East) to find the Canaan Backcountry (for more quiet and peace). Those willing to leave the car for a bit and foot it would be remiss to neglect day-hiking the White Rim Rocks, Table Rock Overlook, or the rim at Blackwater River Gorge.
    fs.usda.gov/mnf


    Image credit: Getty

  • Mt. Rogers NRA via Hurricane Creek Road, North Carolina
    Most know it as the highest country they’ll see from North Carolina to New Hampshire. What they may not know? Car campers can get the same grand experience for less hassle. Drop the 50-pound backpacks and take the highway to the high country by stopping anywhere on the twisting (hence the name) Hurricane Road for access to a 15-mile loop that boasts the best of the grassy balds. It’s the road less travelled, and the high one, at that.
    fs.usda.gov/gwj


    Image credit: wikipedia.org

  • Long Key State Park via the Overseas Highway, Florida
    Hiking can get old; sometimes you’d rather paddle. For a weekend getaway of the coastal variety and quieter version of the Florida Keys that’s no less luxe, stick your head in the sand (and ocean, if snorkeling’s your thing) at any of Long Key’s 60 sites. Canoes and kayaks are aplenty, as are the hot showers and electric power source amenities. Think of it as the getaway from the typical getaway.
    floridastateparks.org/longkey/default.cfm


    Image credit: floridastateparks.org

  • Grand Canyon National Park via Crazy Jug Point, Arizona
    You didn’t think we’d neglect one of the world’s most famous national parks, did you? Nor would we dare lead you astray with one of the busiest parts of the park. With the Colorado River still within view of this cliff-edge site, Crazy Jug is a carside camper’s refuge from the troops of tourists. Find easy access to the Bill Hall Trail less than a mile from camp, and descend to get a peek at the volcanic Mt. Trumbull. (Fear not: It’s about as active as your typical lazy Sunday in front of the tube, if not more peaceful.)
    fs.usda.gov/kaibab


    Image credit: flickr/Irish Typepad

  • As the go-to (weekend) getaway car for fiscally conscious field trips with friends, the 2013 MINI Convertible is your campground racer of choice, allowing you and up to three of your co-pilots to take in all the beauty of nature high and low. And with a fuel efficiency that won’t leave you in the latter, you won’t have to worry about being left stranded (or awkwardly asking to go halfsies on gas expenses).


    Image credit: miniusa.com

  • Recent Slide Shows

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 9

Related Videos

Comments

 5 Comments

Comment Preview

Your name will appear as username ( settings | log out )

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href=""> <b> <em> <strong> <i> <blockquote>

follow salon

Most Read

Popular on Reddit

links from salon.com

vote
Let's Stop Screwing Around and Impeach James Clapper: After lying to Congress about all the different ways the NSA's spying on us, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper lies about how he lied. Call the White House at 202 456-1111 and Tell Obama to Get Rid of Clapper
151 points152 points | 10 comments
vote
Machiavelli doesn’t belong to the 1 percent | "The Prince" is oft-quoted on Wall Street, but its author was a hero of the working class who despised elites
72 points73 points | 24 comments
vote
Let's Stop Screwing Around and Impeach James Clapper: After lying to Congress about all the different ways the NSA's spying on us, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper lies about how he lied. Call the White House at 202 456-1111 and Tell Obama to Get Rid of Clapper
81 points82 points | 12 comments
vote
We must hate our children
61 points62 points | 11 comments
vote
Machiavelli doesn’t belong to the 1 percent | "The Prince" is oft-quoted on Wall Street, but its author was a hero of the working class who despised elites
56 points57 points | 16 comments

From Around the Web

Presented by Scribol
listener_new_rect The Listener: "The Joker": Laughing at life's deepest sorrows