Jimmy Kimmel: influences, peers and legacy

Every connection with its receipt

Jimmy Kimmel's path runs from Las Vegas teenage radio obsession through KROQ morning shows and Comedy Central frat humor to the Oscars podium — a career built on prank calls, sports banter and a Letterman-shaped sense of what late night could be. This mix traces the radio roots most TV viewers never hear, the Los Angeles scene that made him, and the partners who shaped the voice.

The Kynda mix for Jimmy Kimmel

• Key Influence · Late Night with David Letterman by David Letterman (1982). Kimmel has repeatedly described himself as a Letterman obsessive from his Las Vegas teenage years, taping episodes and even getting a Late Night-style license plate. The show's anti-host posture, stunts involving ordinary people outside the studio, running characters drawn from the crew, and willingness to mock its own network all map directly onto Jimmy Kimmel Live!, from Guillermo to the lie-detector bits and on-air feuds.','
• Influencia Obscura · The Jerky Boys (1993). The prank-call album boom of the early nineties is the direct ancestor of Crank Yankers, the Comedy Central series Kimmel co-created with Adam Carolla and Daniel Kellison in which real prank calls are acted out by puppets. The Jerky Boys made the recorded-phone-call bit a mass-market comedy form, establishing the character-voice-plus-unwitting-victim structure that Crank Yankers puppeted.','
• Local Roots · Kevin & Bean by Kevin Ryder and Gene Baxter (1990). Kimmel's breakthrough came as 'Jimmy the Sports Guy' on KROQ's morning show in Los Angeles, the alt-rock station that functioned as a farm team for LA comedy. The Kevin & Bean ensemble built around sidekick characters, bits and local celebrity, and it is where Kimmel sharpened the improvised riffing and sports-fan persona that carried him to Win Ben Stein's Money and then ABC.','
• Beyond the Medium · Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project by John Landis (2007). Kimmel grew up in Las Vegas and absorbed the insult-comic tradition Rickles perfected in its showrooms — abuse as affection, the target understood to be in on it. That ethic underwrites Kimmel's long-running mock feud with Matt Damon and his Mean Tweets segments. Landis's documentary gathers the comics who treated Rickles as the master of the form, including the late-night hosts who kept booking him.','
• Peer · Late Night with Conan O'Brien by Conan O'Brien (1993). The other post-Letterman host of Kimmel's generation, working the same absurdist-sidekick territory with Andy Richter as Kimmel works with Guillermo. The two came up in overlapping eras of network late night, competed for the same guests, and both navigated the format's collapse from monologue-driven broadcast into clip-driven internet comedy during the 2000s and 2010s.','
• From the Canon · The Man Show by Jimmy Kimmel (1999). The Comedy Central series he co-created and co-hosted with Adam Carolla is the key to understanding Kimmel's career arc: beer, trampolines and Juggies, a persona he spent the following two decades complicating and at times publicly regretting. Everything about Jimmy Kimmel Live!'s later turn toward earnest political monologue reads differently against the show that first made him famous.','
• Key Collaborator · The Adam Carolla Show by Adam Carolla (2009). Carolla co-hosted The Man Show with Kimmel and co-created Crank Yankers; the two met through Los Angeles radio and built their early television careers as a unit. His long-running podcast, one of the first to prove the medium commercially, shows the unscripted rant-and-riff style that was the raw material of their Comedy Central years before Kimmel moved to network television.','
• Legacy · The Andy Milonakis Show by Andy Milonakis (2005). Kimmel discovered Milonakis through an internet video, put him on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and executive produced his MTV series — one of the first television shows built from a viral web performer. The pipeline Kimmel opened there, from online clip to broadcast platform, anticipated how a generation of comedians would reach audiences entirely outside traditional stand-up and sketch routes.','

What influenced Jimmy Kimmel

• David Letterman (1947). Kimmel describes Letterman's comedy as an influence. (also via Late Night with David Letterman) “Kimmel has said of Letterman, "His show was just so weird and different. I'd never seen anything like it. I didn't know anyone who had a sense of humor like that."” (Wikipedia)
• Howard Stern. The article names Stern as one of Kimmel's biggest comedy influences. (also via The Howard Stern Show, Private Parts) “Kimmel's biggest influences in comedy are David Letterman and Howard Stern .” (Wikipedia)
• Late Night with David Letterman by David Letterman (1982). Late Night with David Letterman (David Letterman) — titan for Jimmy Kimmel (also via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “== Career == === Radio career === Inspired by David Letterman's start in radio, Kimmel began working in radio while in high school.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson by Johnny Carson (1962). The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (Johnny Carson) — titan for Jimmy Kimmel (also via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “At 23 seasons, his tenure hosting a single late-night comedy-variety show is second only to Johnny Carson, who hosted The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for 30 seasons.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Private Parts by Howard Stern (1993). Private Parts (Howard Stern) — culture for Jimmy Kimmel “He has had numerous appearances on other talk shows, including Live with Regis and Kelly, The Howard Stern Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and Late Show with David Letterman.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Eddie Murphy (1961). Kimmel is reported as naming Murphy a childhood inspiration. “Eddie Murphy , who Kimmel said was a major inspiration to both him and Cleto as children, and Morgan Fairchild were the night's guests.” (Wikipedia)
• This Is Spinal Tap by Rob Reiner (1984). This Is Spinal Tap (Rob Reiner) — culture for Jimmy Kimmel Live! (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “He said it "may be the last time you ever see me", in reference to the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Howard Stern Show by Howard Stern (1986). The Howard Stern Show (Howard Stern) — titan for Jimmy Kimmel (also via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “He has had numerous appearances on other talk shows, including Live with Regis and Kelly, The Howard Stern Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and Late Show with David Letterman.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project by John Landis (2007). Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project (John Landis) — culture for Jimmy Kimmel (themoviedb.org)
• Network by Sidney Lumet (1976). Network (Sidney Lumet) — culture for Jimmy Kimmel (themoviedb.org)
• Candid Camera by Allen Funt (1948). Candid Camera (Allen Funt) — culture for Jimmy Kimmel Live! (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) (themoviedb.org)
• Jackass: The Movie by Jeff Tremaine (2002). Jackass: The Movie (Jeff Tremaine) — culture for Jimmy Kimmel Live! (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) (themoviedb.org)
• The Phil Hendrie Show by Phil Hendrie (1990). The Phil Hendrie Show (Phil Hendrie) — ghost for Jimmy Kimmel
• The Jerky Boys by The Jerky Boys (1993). The Jerky Boys (The Jerky Boys) — ghost for Jimmy Kimmel
• Fernwood 2 Night by Martin Mull and Fred Willard (1977). Fernwood 2 Night (Martin Mull and Fred Willard) — ghost for Jimmy Kimmel Live! (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!)
• Kevin & Bean by Kevin Ryder and Gene 'Bean' Baxter (1990). Kevin & Bean (Kevin Ryder and Gene 'Bean' Baxter) — ghost for Jimmy Kimmel Live! (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!)

Peers and kindred spirits

• Adam Carolla. Kimmel and Carolla co-hosted The Man Show. (also via The Adam Carolla Show, Loveline) “He will remain a partner in Jackhole Prods., the company he created with Daniel Kellison and Adam Carolla two decades ago, which produces Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (Deadline)
• Jimmy Fallon. Kimmel and Fallon hosted the podcast together. (also via The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon) “Stephen Colbert , Jimmy Fallon , Jimmy Kimmel , Seth Meyers , and John Oliver have teamed up with Spotify for an all-new limited-series podcast, Strike Force Five” (Spotify Newsroom)
• Dicky Barrett. Barrett worked as announcer on Kimmel's show. (also via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “Barrett is the announcer for Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Los Angeles, and Kimmel arrived in town this morning to surprise his friend.” (Boston Magazine)
• Carson Daly. Daly worked as Kimmel's intern on his radio show. “Kimmel will write the pilot himself, something he has never done before, as well as produce alongside his longtime friend Carson Daly .” (The Hollywood Reporter)
• Kimmelot. Kimmel launched the production company Kimmelot. (also via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “Jimmy Kimmel has teamed with entrepreneur and producer Brent Montgomery to launch media company Kimmelot as a joint venture with Montgomery’s Wheelhouse Entertainment.” (Deadline)
• Jackhole Productions. The article identifies Kimmel among the creators working under the Jackhole Productions banner. (also via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “He will remain a partner in Jackhole Prods., the company he created with Daniel Kellison and Adam Carolla two decades ago, which produces Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (Deadline)
• Stephen Colbert. Kimmel and Colbert hosted the podcast together. (also via The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) “Stephen Colbert , Jimmy Fallon , Jimmy Kimmel , Seth Meyers , and John Oliver have teamed up with Spotify for an all-new limited-series podcast, Strike Force Five” (Spotify Newsroom)
• Andy Milonakis. Milonakis served as an announcer and appeared in comedy bits. (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Andy Milonakis Show) “Wilson is the show’s third regular announcer, after Barrett and Andy Milonakis (2003–2004).” (Vulture)
• Sarah Silverman. Jimmy Kimmel Live! (Jimmy Kimmel) — collaborator for Sarah Silverman (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Sarah Silverman Program, Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic) “On Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Silverman parodied sketches from Chappelle's Show, replaying Dave Chappelle's characterizations of Rick James and "Tyrone" as well as a Donnell Rawlings character based on the miniseries Roots.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson by Craig Ferguson (2005). The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (Craig Ferguson) — peer for Jimmy Kimmel (also via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “The cold open device was later adopted by The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson , and it was used by James Corden for occasional segments for his version .” (Wikipedia)
• the Killers. The discography credits Kimmel with The Killers on the song. “Joining forces with fellow Vegas child Jimmy Kimmel, this year the band recorded a tune called “Joel the Lump of Coal,” an equal parts sweet and sardonic story about a rock who does not want to be a gift for naughty children.” (SPIN)
• Daniel Kellison. Kimmel and Kellison co-produced The Man Show. “He will remain a partner in Jackhole Prods., the company he created with Daniel Kellison and Adam Carolla two decades ago, which produces Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (Deadline)
• Late Night with Conan O'Brien by Conan O'Brien (1993). Late Night with Conan O'Brien (Conan O'Brien) — peer for Jimmy Kimmel (also via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “Kimmel derided Leno in front of a live studio audience for taking back the 11:35 pm time slot from Conan O'Brien, and repeatedly insulted Leno.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• LeBron James. Kimmel and James co-hosted the ESPY Awards. “Jimmy Kimmel and LeBron James brought the worlds of comedy and sports together as they co-hosted the 15th Annual ESPY Awards Wednesday night at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.” (Variety)
• The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Kimmel performed a song with the band. “Kimmel was thrown into the mix of talent scheduled to appear at “Dicky Barrett’s Birthday Bash”—part of the Phantom Gourmet BBQ & Music Festival this weekend—and will lend his clarinet talents to the Mighty Mighty Bosstones’ performance.” (Boston Magazine)
• John Oliver. Kimmel and Oliver hosted the podcast together. “Stephen Colbert , Jimmy Fallon , Jimmy Kimmel , Seth Meyers , and John Oliver have teamed up with Spotify for an all-new limited-series podcast, Strike Force Five” (Spotify Newsroom)
• Seth Meyers. Kimmel and Meyers hosted the podcast together. “Stephen Colbert , Jimmy Fallon , Jimmy Kimmel , Seth Meyers , and John Oliver have teamed up with Spotify for an all-new limited-series podcast, Strike Force Five” (Spotify Newsroom)
• Lou Wilson. Wilson succeeded Barrett as the show's announcer. (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “I was writing for the show, and I didn’t know that Dickie was leaving or that they needed a new announcer.” (Vulture)
• The Cletones. The Cletones serve as the show's house band. (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “The Cletones play the show's opening and closing themes and play into and out of commercial breaks. (They usually play through the entire break for the studio audience.)” (Wikipedia)
• Guillermo Rodriguez. Rodriguez became the show's sidekick. (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “Guillermo Rodriguez discusses working on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" for more than 20 years, his bond with Jimmy Kimmel, his favorite guests and more.” (Good Morning America)
• Cleto Escobedo III. Escobedo III co-wrote the show's opening theme. (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “the house band is still fronted by Jimmy Kimmel’s childhood friend Cleto Escobedo III” (Vulture)
• 12:05 AM Productions, LLC. 12:05 AM Productions, LLC is named as the show's producer. (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) ““Jimmy Kimmel Live” is produced by 12:05 AM Productions, LLC, in association with Kimmelot and ABC Signature.” (Kimmelot)
• Molly McNearney. McNearney is credited as a writer. (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “Jimmy Kimmel, Erin Irwin, Molly McNearney, Jennifer Sharron and David Craig serve as executive producers; Douglas DeLuca serves as co-executive producer.” (Kimmelot)
• Los Angeles Feast of San Gennaro. Kimmel co-founded the named Los Angeles festival. “Kimmel co-founded the annual Los Angeles Feast of San Gennaro , a New York City annual tradition, and co-hosted the eighth annual Los Angeles version in 2009.” (Wikipedia)
• Brent Montgomery. Kimmel and Montgomery partnered to launch Kimmelot. “Jimmy Kimmel has teamed with entrepreneur and producer Brent Montgomery to launch media company Kimmelot as a joint venture with Montgomery’s Wheelhouse Entertainment.” (Deadline)
• Generation Gap. Kimmel produced the game-show spin-off. “This segment, a quiz show between different generations of family members was spun off into its own game show produced by Kimmel and Mark Burnett .” (Wikipedia)
• The Sarah Silverman Program by Sarah Silverman (2007). The Sarah Silverman Program (Sarah Silverman) — collaborator for Jimmy Kimmel “In February 2008, Kimmel showed a mock music video with a panoply of stars called "I'm Fucking Ben Affleck" as "revenge" after his then-girlfriend Sarah Silverman and Damon recorded a similar video titled "I'm Fucking Matt Damon".” (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Adam Carolla Show by Adam Carolla (2009). The Adam Carolla Show (Adam Carolla) — collaborator for Jimmy Kimmel (also via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “During that time, he met and befriended the comedian Adam Carolla.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Loveline by Drew Pinsky (1984). Loveline (Drew Pinsky) — geography for Jimmy Kimmel “He co-hosted the syndicated radio call-in program Loveline with Drew Pinsky from 1995 to 2005 as well as the show's television incarnation on MTV from 1996 to 2000.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Ben Stein. Kimmel worked opposite Stein on the game show. “he was offered a place as the comedic counterpart to Ben Stein on the game show Win Ben Stein's Money , which began airing on Comedy Central in 1997.” (Wikipedia)
• Matt Damon. Kimmel's running joke with Damon began a satirical on-show feud. “Beginning in 2005, Kimmel started thanking the guests as usual, but then adds, "Our apologies to Matt Damon , we ran out of time", starting a satirical feud between him and the actor.” (Wikipedia)
• Based on a True Story by Norm Macdonald (2016). Based on a True Story (Norm Macdonald) — collaborator for Jimmy Kimmel “Kimmel has also produced several TV shows, including Crank Yankers, Sports Show with Norm Macdonald, and The Andy Milonakis Show.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Kent Voss. Kimmel and Voss co-hosted a radio show. “In 1989, Kimmel landed his first paying job alongside Voss as morning drive co-host of The Me and Him Show at KZOK-FM in Seattle, Washington.” (Wikipedia)
• The Daily Show with Jon Stewart by Jon Stewart (1999). The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Jon Stewart) — peer for Jimmy Kimmel (also via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “Following comments by President Donald Trump backing Carr, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy accused Trump of "using the power of the White House, in this case the power of his regulatory agencies, to try to shut down any speech that oppos…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Ben Affleck. Kimmel made a response video with Affleck. “Kimmel responded with his own video a month later with Damon's friend Ben Affleck , which enlisted a panoply of stars to record Kimmel's song "I'm Fucking Ben Affleck".” (Wikipedia)
• Danny Ricker. Ricker is credited as a writer. (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “Written by Molly McNearney Danny Ricker Steve O'Donnell Directed by Andy Fisher Presented by Jimmy Kimmel [ a ] Starring Guillermo Rodriguez Sal Iacono” (Wikipedia)
• Andy Fisher. Fisher is credited as the show's director. (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “Written by Molly McNearney Danny Ricker Steve O'Donnell Directed by Andy Fisher Presented by Jimmy Kimmel [ a ] Starring Guillermo Rodriguez Sal Iacono” (Wikipedia)
• The Late Late Show with James Corden by James Corden (2015). The Late Late Show with James Corden (James Corden) — peer for Jimmy Kimmel Live! (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “(These, better known as "integrated commercials", are rarely repeated.) The cold open device was later adopted by The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and it was used by James Corden for occasional segments for his version.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Jonathan Kimmel. Jonathan Kimmel co-wrote the show's opening theme. (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “The show's opening theme was written by Les Pierce, Jonathan Kimmel , and Cleto Escobedo III and sung by Robert Goulet .” (Wikipedia)
• Les Pierce. Pierce co-wrote the show's opening theme. (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “The show's opening theme was written by Les Pierce, Jonathan Kimmel , and Cleto Escobedo III and sung by Robert Goulet .” (Wikipedia)

…and 11 more on the map above.

Who Jimmy Kimmel influenced

• The Late Show with Stephen Colbert by Stephen Colbert (2015). The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (Stephen Colbert) — legacy for Jimmy Kimmel Live! (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “On the same night, Colbert was a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! which was broadcast from Brooklyn that week. Colbert filmed his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel's show first and then the two traveled to the Ed Sullivan Theater to film Kimmel's in…” (Wikipedia)
• The Andy Milonakis Show by Andy Milonakis (2005). The Andy Milonakis Show (Andy Milonakis) — legacy for Jimmy Kimmel “Kimmel has also produced several TV shows, including Crank Yankers, Sports Show with Norm Macdonald, and The Andy Milonakis Show.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon by Jimmy Fallon (2014). The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (Jimmy Fallon) — legacy for Jimmy Kimmel Live! (via Jimmy Kimmel Live!) “On an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Damon praised Fallon for his speedy invitation process, which Kimmel poked fun of.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Jo Koy: Live from Seattle by Jo Koy (2017). Jo Koy: Live from Seattle (Jo Koy) — legacy for Jimmy Kimmel (wikidata.org)