The Kimmel Resistance Comes to Fort Greene

Jimmy Kimmel Live! has broadcast from Brooklyn seven times since 2012, but this week marked the first time he’s been known as Comrade Jimmy. Just about a week after ABC brought the show back following a suspension related to comments from FCC chair Brendan Carr, the episodes were filled with both political commentary and local pride. (Kimmel is originally from Mill Basin.) On Thursday afternoon, hundreds of people who won free tickets through a lottery gathered at BAM’s Howard Gilman Opera House, bringing a lively, tourist-like atmosphere to Ashland Place. They went through security checks in the lobby and paused to take pictures in front of a large backdrop designed to resemble street art. Outside, three women in their 50s held signs that said TRUMP MUST GO NOW! An older man called out, “I love your signs!”

Inside, a DJ played classic Motown songs while VIP guests enjoyed Nathan’s hot dogs and negronis. Large screens showed video clips, including Jimmy wearing a Sia wig, Jimmy and Bill Murray canoeing in Newtown Creek, and Jimmy’s head popping out of a toilet in a funny public service announcement for the Department of Environmental Protection. Later, Don Barris, a seasoned comedian with a distinctive mustache, warmed up the crowd with a few rounds of applause. It became clear that the best way to get the Brooklyn audience excited was to make the event feel like a small political rally, mentioning “a little thing now with the president.” However, the only thing being launched like projectiles was T-shirts.

While Jeremy Allen White and Bruce Springsteen were preparing for their appearances, Jimmy Kimmel geared up, reviewing jokes and taking notes. The crew gave him encouraging fist bumps as he walked to the stage, where he received a full minute of applause before starting his monologue (“Just like the C train, the government is currently closed…”). The audience rose to their feet again when Jon Stewart cycled down the aisle, playfully acting as a Grubhub delivery driver. After a joke about the Mets went on for a bit too long, Kimmel hinted that Stewart should move things along, which Stewart pretended to take offense to. “Sorry, Mr. ‘Free Speech!’

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2025-10-04 00:56