The other night on his late night show, Jimmy Kimmel conducted the first TV interview with Sean Spicer since he left his job as White House Press Secretary. On that note, Kimmel did an excellent job.
He managed to ask Spicer challenging questions, without making it seem like he was attacking him. There’s an artform to being a good interviewer – to making your guest feel comfortable while poking fun at him without demeaning him. Kimmel walked that line with skill and grace.
But there was one statement Kimmel made during the conversation that touched on his and Spicer’s shared Catholic faith. Kimmel was questioning him about President Trump’s painting the press with a broad brush as “fake news.”
Spicer responded that the majority of reporters are good people trying to tell a truthful story. But then he defended the president to a degree, stating that reporters often are more concerned with being first than being right and that they don’t admit their mistakes when they make them.
Kimmel answered, “Lumping everyone together, though, as fake news just seems terrible to me. In a way – you’re a Catholic and I’m a Catholic as well. I’m offended when people lump all priests together as child abusers. I find that to be unfair to those who aren’t.”
Spicer agreed, but also criticized the press corps for lumping all Republicans and conservatives into an unfair caricature as well.
Whether you like or dislike Spicer and his answers, this is an interesting interview to watch. And it was a surprise to hear Kimmel affirming the integrity of the many good priests whose reputations have been damaged by the horrific, criminal, and evil actions of others.
You can watch the whole thing below – or watch the above segment between 8:00 and 15:00.
And today we celebrate...