“It’s been a very scary, very stressful, very strange week in L.A. where we work, where we live, where our kids go to school,” said host Jimmy Kimmel while addressing the audience on his late-night talk show.
During his Monday night monologue, Kimmel broke up in near tears several times while showing how close the wildfire was to their set on the major Los Angeles street of Hollywood Boulevard.
“Many of us had to leave our homes in a hurry; some of our coworkers lost their homes. It’s been terrible,” he explained. “Everyone who lives in this city knows someone — most of us, multiple people; family, friends, colleagues, neighbors — whose houses have burned down. And the truth is, we don’t even know if it’s over. We had 100 mph winds fueling this nightmare and as of tonight, winds are back.”
He continued, “I think I speak for all of us when I say it’s been a sickening, shocking, awful experience but it’s also been, in a lot of ways, a beautiful experience because, once again, we see our fellow men and women coming together to support each other, people who lost their own homes are out volunteering in parking lots for others who lost theirs.”
Kimmel also took aim at President-elect Donald Trump and his response to the wildfires, which continue to blaze and, as of press time, have killed at least 24 people. The Palisades Fire is 14 percent contained, while the Eaton Fire is now 33 percent contained amid warnings that the weather will be “particularly dangerous” on Tuesday.
“Tonight I don’t want to get into all the vile and irresponsible and stupid things our future president and his gaggle of scumbags chose to say during out darkest and most terrifying hour,” said Kimmel. Then adding, “The fact that he chose to attack our firefighters who are out there risking their lives on our behalf, it’s disgusting but not surprising. Instead, I want to focus on thanking those men and women, because thats all we should be doing.”
He shouted out all of the other U.S. states who have sent in firefighters, as well as from Mexico and Canada, along with all first responders, doctors, local news reporters, and L.A. actor and virtual guest Steve Guttenberg, whom Kimmel called a “national treasure” for his work out in L.A. neighborhoods helping evacuees and those who have lost their homes.
Kimmel also shouted out the relief efforts happening industry-wide, including his parent company Disney donating $15 million on Monday and local restaurants rallying together, while encouraging those watching to support LAFD.org. He revealed that, at one point, he had 19 people and four dogs living with him, and joked about how hard it’s been for families to figure out what to take when evacuating their homes in a split-second. Kimmel said if he had to evacuate, he would grab his phone so he could use the Watch Duty app, a now-essential resource for Angelenos.
Guesting on his show was Snoop Dogg, whom Kimmel said “represents L.A.,” Roy Wood Jr. and Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith of the rock band Dawes, who both are among the many Hollywood stars who have lost their homes in the wildfires.
ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! resumed production on Monday. The talk show had halted production last week after the L.A. County fires first broke out on Jan. 7. More than a dozen L.A.-based shows had paused production due to the fires in Pacific Palisades, Altadena and elsewhere in the region that continue to burn through L.A. as of Monday night, more than 60 square miles so far.
Disney’s 20th Television is keeping most of its productions on pause, with Kimmel’s late night show being an exception. Several TV series are set to resume production this week, including Max’s Hacks and and Suits LA. Other shows, however, including CBS’ After Midnight and ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, are still on hold.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! has also set up a donation center in its lot behind the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, Kimmel and the show shared in an Instagram post Monday: “We will quickly distribute essential items to those who need them. … Thank you for supporting and please spread the word to those in our neighborhood.”
The donation center will take gifts of bottled water, Gatorade, baby food, pet food, non-perishable food items, new toiletries and hygiene products, new socks and underwear, diapers and baby wipes.
Kimmel was also among several Hollywood stars who appeared in ESPN’s digital segment that aired during Monday night’s playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings that was moved from Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium to Arizona. Kimmel joined Snoop Dogg to say, “Stay strong, L.A.,” with the rapper adding, “Thanks to everyone who’s helping us get through this terrible tragedy. We in this together.”
More to come.
