Jimmy Kimmel Knows Whom to Hire

Joe Hagan's weekly column in The New York Observer (Wednesday, May 12, 2004) brings to light the activities of writer Joe Barbieri of the late night Jimmy Kimmel Show. Seems Barbieri plays a recurring character, "Michael Jackson superfan, Joe Byrd" who was quoted in the May 1, 2004 New York Times.

"He might dance on the S.U.V. again," The Times quoted Mr. Byrd as saying. "When Michael moves, it’s always a dance."

The NYT posted a correction regarding the fictitious Mr. Byrd some days later, though Hagan notes the eds. were a bit miffed.

The writers for The Times, of course, were less than amused. "I didn’t find his stunt particularly amusing," said Mr. Broder. "I don’t particularly appreciate people misrepresenting themselves. We take quite seriously what we put into the newspaper, as the editor’s note would indicate. I’m sure someone thinks it’s funny, but we didn’t."

So called liberal media.

When asked if "Byrd" saw the correction:

"He doesn’t get The Times," said Mr. Barbieri. "He subscribes to a lot of Michael Jackson fanzines and Soldier of Fortune."

Jeebus says "carry on."