Matt Damon reignites ‘feud’ with Jimmy Kimmel: “No talent”
Jimmy Kimmel has had a difficult few weeks. To add to it all, on October 3rd, he had a trespasser on his show: Matt Damon, back to reignite their ongoing fake feud.
As part of a long-running show gag, the Oscar winner is a huge antagonist for Kimmel. The feud dates back to 2005, when, during a season three episode, Kimmel jokingly apologised to the actor for bumping him as they “ran out of time”. Kimmel has since banned Damon from the show, who has to find inventive ways to appear.
On October 3rd, he was back. In a neon green mascot costume, he taunted Kimmel, asking him if he received a college degree. When Kimmel admitted he didn’t have one, Damon in disguise replied, “Well, I could tell from watching your stupid monologue. Isn’t he dumb?” he asked the audience.
When Kimmel retaliated, Damon insisted, “Well, I’m not going to be insulted by a guy who looks like they dragged Jimmy Fallon out of the Gowanus Canal.”
Kimmel removed the head from Damon’s disguise to show the upcoming Odyssey actor inside the suit. “Stop cheering for him, this is breaking and entering! Again! You’ve done this before.” Kimmel responded to the joyous reaction.
Damon switched tactics, bringing the mood down: “I know we’ve had our differences over the years, but I just wanted to be here tonight for your last show ever.”
He added, “We’ve been at this for over 23 years. I just wanted to say goodbye.”
When Kimmel corrected the star, insisting it wasn’t his last show at all, Damon acted confused, adding, “The president cancelled you, which I was a big fan of by the way. When he said you have zero ratings and no talent, I was like, I’ve been saying that for years!”
Finishing their fake feud, Damon and Kimmel exchanged further quips about Tom Hanks before the Saving Private Ryan star scurried off with Kimmel’s mother, who was in the audience.
Kimmel’s late-night show faced a prolonged period of suspension in September after his comments on Charlie Kirk’s death were not taken well by the network. Among other comments, Kimmel condemned Trump’s personal reaction to Kirk’s death, saying, “This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
ABC labelled his comments “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse”.
The Hollywood community showed its support for Kimmel, with many stars standing up for his right to free speech. The show was reinstated after six days off-air. Kimmel refused to apologise for the remarks.
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