Matt Damon cleverly addressed his ongoing rivalry with Jimmy Kimmel through a congratulatory note delivered by actor Ben Affleck. The message was presented during a segment on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, celebrating Kimmel’s recent win at the Critics’ Choice Awards for Best Talk Show.
During the episode, Affleck retrieved the note from his suit jacket and began to read it aloud to Kimmel. He noted, “Speaking of Matt, he wanted me to pass on a note he wanted me to share with you, which I thought was very nice.” As Kimmel reached for the note, Affleck humorously intervened, insisting he would read it instead.
The note contained a playful jab, stating, “Dear Jimmy, congratulations on the Critics’ Choice award. You should have gotten canceled a long time ago, maybe you would have got sympathy then, and so you could have won more than one minor movie award, like me.” Affleck, seemingly amused, placed the note on his table, while Kimmel quickly snatched it and declared, “No, it wasn’t a nice note, and I’ll take that note and I will save it forever.”
Long-standing Rivalry
The exchange highlights the long-standing, lighthearted feud between Damon and Kimmel, which has entertained audiences for years. The rivalry began in 2005 when Kimmel humorously mentioned Damon’s name on his show, despite the actor not being a guest. Kimmel concluded that episode with the words, “Apologies to Matt Damon, but we ran out of time.” At that point, Damon had not yet met Kimmel personally.
The banter continued into 2006 when Damon made his first appearance on the show. In a similar style, Kimmel cut him off at the end of the episode, prompting Damon to react with mock anger, leaving the set while delivering a few expletives. Many fans noted that his reaction appeared genuine, adding to the comedic charm of their ongoing skit.
This playful dynamic between Damon and Kimmel has remained a staple of late-night television, demonstrating how humor can create enduring entertainment relationships. As Damon continues to tease Kimmel, viewers can expect more comedic exchanges in the future, keeping the spirit of their rivalry alive.
