Jimmy Kimmel Under Fire for Sick Joke
Jimmy Kimmel, June 2022. Photo by Erin Scott and courtesy of The White House. Public domain.
Jimmy Kimmel is no stranger to controversy — but this time, the late-night king might have crossed a line. In a moment that had the audience groaning and social media exploding, Kimmel compared beloved NFL icons Eli and Peyton Manning to two of the most notorious killers in American history: the Menendez brothers.
And he did it in front of a room packed with Disney execs, advertisers, and celebrities.
The Joke Heard 'Round the Javits Center
According to Entertainment Weekly, Kimmel was headlining a 12-minute stand-up set at the 2025 Disney Upfront presentation in New York City when the jaw-dropping line landed — with a thud.
The Manning brothers had just performed a goofy song-and-dance routine spoofing Disney shows — think "Abbott Elementary" and "Paradise" — joined by Kaitlin Olson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Sterling K. Brown.
Then came Kimmel: "I do wanna thank the Manning brothers for finally answering the question, 'What if two jars of mayonnaise could sing?' The answer is: they can't, and they shouldn't. That was worse than what the Menendez brothers did," he said, as reported by Entertainment Weekly.
The audience groaned audibly. But Kimmel wasn't done.
"Too soon or too late?" he asked, doubling down on the Menendez jab.
Context, Timing — And Fallout
The joke might have landed differently on another day. But this wasn't just any Tuesday.
Hours earlier, a Los Angeles judge had altered the Menendez brothers' prison sentences — from life without parole to life with the possibility of parole, potentially opening the door for their release after more than 30 years behind bars.
Lyle, 57, and Erik Menendez, 54, were convicted in 1996 for the brutal 1989 murders of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez. The trial captivated the country — and decades later, the story still sparks fierce debate.
Kimmel's punchline? A direct hit on a cultural nerve still raw for many.
Social Media Split: Outrage vs. Applause
The backlash was instant.
"Kimmel is an a--!" one critic fumed on X, according to the New York Post.
But not everyone was offended. Some users defended the comic's sharp tongue. "Kimmel ain't wrong," one person posted. "The Manning Bros need to hang up their dancing shoes."
Still, the comparison left many stunned — not just because it invoked two convicted murderers, but because it hit the former NFL champs who are known for their squeaky-clean image.
More Digs — And a Final Jab
The roast didn't end with the Menendez punchline.
Kimmel circled back to the Mannings at the end of his set, delivering one final jab, "Ladies and gentlemen, here with another song, the Manning brothers." No such encore followed, according to Entertainment Weekly.
He also turned his fire on Disney's CEO. According to Entertainment Weekly, Kimmel joked, "This is my, I think, millionth upfront? I do it once a year like a prostate exam. But it's hard to say no when Bob Iger shows up." He added that Iger "passionately led Disney for 20 years and reluctantly for three."
It wasn't just a roast — it was a flame thrower.
The Mannings Move On
Despite the headline-grabbing moment, Eli and Peyton carried on with their promotional duties. They returned to the stage later in the presentation to plug "Chad Powers," their upcoming Hulu comedy starring Glen Powell as a disgraced football player in disguise.
The brothers serve as executive producers, and the show is inspired by Eli's own ESPN+ segment where he goes undercover to try out for Penn State's football team.
As for Kimmel? He may have left the building, but his words are still echoing.
A Line Too Far — Or Just Another Punchline?
In the age of viral outrage, Kimmel's joke has ignited a classic debate: where's the line in comedy — and who gets to draw it?
The Menendez brothers may be infamous, but they're also part of a renewed cultural conversation about criminal justice, abuse, and rehabilitation. Pairing them with two NFL legends — even in jest — was always going to be explosive.
Whether Kimmel's bit will blow over or blow up remains to be seen. But one thing's certain: in a room built for brand deals and Disney magic, no one expected to be talking about double homicide.
References: Jimmy Kimmel slammed for shocking joke comparing Eli, Peyton Manning to Menendez brothers | Jimmy Kimmel gets groans from crowd at Disney event for comparing Eli and Peyton Manning to Menendez brothers
