Jimmy Kimmel uses opening monologue to diss Aaron Rodgers
When a late-night talk host has a deep personal issue with you, the whole world is going to know about it, and it won't be pretty.
On Monday night, Jimmy Kimmel "had time," as the modern cliche goes. The host of ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" spent his opening monologue addressing Aaron Rodgers after the New York Jets quarterback's recent comments attempting to link Kimmel to Jeffrey Epstein, the well-connected financier who committed suicide while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges in 2019.
Kimmel, who threatened legal action against Rodgers in his initial response on Wednesday, said that the Epstein comment was just the latest barb between them. While discussing how the chatter has impacted his family, he presented two theories on why Rodgers would have insinuated that there was a connection with Epstein.
"I guess he believes one of two things. Either he actually believes my name was going to be on Epstein's list, which is insane, or the more likely scenario is he doesn't actually believe it, he's just said it because he's mad at me for making fun of his top knot (hair) and making fun of him and his lies about being vaccinated."
During the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Kimmel lambasted Rodgers for the quarterback's claims that he had been "immunized" from COVID-19 and subscribing to several conspiracy theories about the virus. Kimmel went on further by discussing previous barbs he threw at Rodgers about a perceived distraction from the eventual reveal of a list of persons believed to have associated with Epstein.
Putting aside the completely unnecessary dig at Rodgers having attended community college before transferring to Cal-Berkley - there's nothing wrong with attending community college - there are some notable moments from the monologue. Kimmel quickly dismisses McAfee's apology by saying "nor was it trash talk. Sorry, Pat McAfee." To also answer those who think that Kimmel and his cohorts also say things about public figures all of the time, he explained how his team approaches jokes with reputable sources and facts.
Finally, in an attempt to remind the public of someone with a documented history with Epstein, Kimmel turned to another long-time target of his, former president Donald Trump, by playing an old video of him talking with Epstein at a party.
The spat between Kimmel and Rodgers is once again bringing undesired attention onto Disney's television properties. Add McAfee's own heat with a prominent ESPN executive, and this makes for an ugly start to the new year for the House of Mouse. With Rodgers expected to respond to Kimmel, this issue is certainly going to draw some of the company's higher-ups into the conflict as problems between talent (including paid guests like Rodgers) can only be tolerated for so long. Just ask these two former morning show anchors.
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