Justin Timberlake Attempts ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Coup, Performs New Track ‘No Angels’ Instead
You might know Monday night’s host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! from … Justin Timberlake. This is a fact since the singer who subbed for Kimmel told the audience: “Welcome to Jimmy Kimmel Live!, I’m going to be your host tonight, Justin Timberlake.” [Huge applause.] “Now you all might know me from … being … Justin Timberlake.” [Dampened applause.]But don’t worry, Timberlake, being Timberlake, saved the moment the way Timberlake does best with a charming callback to the previous Oscars and calling for a rimshot to a joke about Joey Fatone hitting him.
He also paid tribute to the program’s eponymous host. “Unfortunately, Jimmy couldn’t be here tonight,” he said. “As you can imagine, he’s pretty beat.” But then Kimmel emerged from behind him like a comic Michael Myers. “I am here,” he said* slashing Timberlake’s dreams of hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live! Timberlake offered up an impression of a Trump-Biden rap battle but it didn’t really go anywhere, and Kimmel dismissed the pop star. “I have to bring sexy back, you understand?” Kimmel said.
Luckily, Timberlake stuck around and did what we all actually know him from: Singing Justin Timberlake songs. At the end of the episode, the vocalist debuted the new tune, “No Angels,” from his upcoming album, Everything I Thought It Was, which comes out Friday. The tune sports a thumping disco beat and falsetto lyrics about how “There ain’t no angels here on the dance floor.” And judging from the bouncing heads and waving hands in front of him, he might have been right.
Everything I Thought It Was will feature 18 tracks, including a fresh ‘NSync song, “Paradise.” He has previously released the songs “Selfish” and “Drown,” and he performed “Sanctified” on SNL. Starting next month, he’ll be touring for the rest of the year.
* Does it sound like Kimmel is coming down with a cold? It’s good he went home and got some sleep after hosting the Oscars.