Fresh Air Jimmy Kimmel's Path To Late Night
9 snips
Sep 26, 2025 
Jimmy Kimmel, the famed late-night host and comedian, shares his journey from teenage David Letterman superfan to the creator of Jimmy Kimmel Live! He discusses the pressures of late-night television and how he incorporates family members, like Uncle Frank, into his show. Kimmel explains his motivations for mocking figures like Donald Trump and reflects on the importance of originality in comedy. He also touches on his early broadcasting days in public radio and how his love for storytelling shaped his career.
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Late Night Can Trigger First Amendment Battles
- Jimmy Kimmel became a flashpoint in free-speech debates after mocking political figures and being briefly pulled from ABC.
- Public backlash and industry pressure helped force ABC to reinstate Jimmy Kimmel Live.
David Letterman Fueled His Obsession
- Jimmy describes obsessively watching David Letterman as a teen and creating a club and memorabilia around the show.
- His fandom shaped his comedic ambitions and later inspired his career in late-night television.
Protect Originality By Monitoring Peers
- Kimmel's team transcribes other late-night monologues to avoid repeating jokes and accusations of theft.
- He prioritizes originality and tracks peers' material proactively rather than reactively.
