253-255

Chapter 253: Showmanship 

At first glance, it all sounded a bit over the top—almost unbelievable. But the emotional wave that surged through the studio audience was undeniable. One after another, people began standing and applauding. The momentum kept growing, until at least a third of the crowd was on their feet. The rest started looking around, unsure whether they should follow, their expressions uncertain and hesitant. 

Ronan’s speech wasn’t fiery or impassioned—there was no attempt to stir the crowd. But every word carried the weight of life’s hardships. His calm, steady delivery somehow struck like thunder. And those eyes—bright and resolute—it was hard not to be moved by them, especially in person. 

Even Jimmy couldn’t resist. 

As a late-night talk show host, Jimmy was used to quick back-and-forths, witty interruptions, and sharp comebacks. But during those two short minutes, he never found the right moment to jump in. The show had essentially become Ronan’s one-man monologue. Technically speaking, that was a failure on Jimmy’s part. 

It didn’t even match the usual style of The Jimmy Feathers Show. 

And yet—Jimmy didn’t mind. In fact, what he appreciated most was Ronan’s calm composure. His words held the wisdom of someone shaped by time, but he still spoke with the sincerity of a child at heart—and above all, with a quick wit and sharp tongue. That last quality was absolutely essential. 

Jimmy knew Ronan probably wasn’t too fond of giving long-winded speeches himself. And sure enough— 

As thunderous applause filled the studio, Ronan didn’t bask in it. Instead, he turned to Jimmy with a smile and said, “So, what do you think? Will this be enough to get Oprah Winfrey’s attention? Do you think she’d invite our band onto her show?” 

One beat. Two beats. 

Then— Laughter erupted. The entire audience burst into laughter. 

Even Jimmy had to applaud. After all, The Jimmy Feathers Show was entertainment. While heartfelt moments could move the studio audience, viewers at home might not connect the same way—and ratings could suffer. 

But with that single pivot, Ronan delivered the perfect punchline. The entertainment value shot back up—and it was hard for anyone not to enjoy it. 

The live audience proved the point. 

Earlier, about one-third of them had stood up, while the rest stayed seated. But with Ronan’s sharp twist into humor, the emotional floodgates opened. Laughter and tears poured out together. Some in the crowd even started crying—not necessarily out of sadness or inspiration, but more from sheer emotional release. 

They didn’t even know why they were crying. It just spilled out, and once it did, it was hard to rein it back in. 

That emotional rollercoaster was real. And now, the remaining two-thirds of the audience also stood up, giving Ronan a full-standing ovation. 

Laughter, applause, and tears— The atmosphere in the studio was complex and indescribable, a whirlwind of mixed emotions. 

Jimmy turned to Ronan, grinning, “I’m not sure how Oprah would feel about all this, but I’ll tell you what—if you run in this year’s election, she’d definitely find room for you on her show.” 

It was 2012—an election year. 

Jimmy was teasing Ronan, implying his long speech sounded like a campaign pitch. 

Ronan spread his hands in mock disappointment, “Judging by your tone, it sounds like I’ve already lost your vote?” 

That caught Jimmy off guard. He hadn’t expected Ronan to flip it like that, and he burst into laughter. The crowd followed, cheering and chanting Jimmy’s name, egging him on—half-jokingly trying to convince him to support Ronan as a candidate. 

The show had officially gone off the rails, in the best way. 

“I refuse to comment on my vote until after the election,” Jimmy declared in a mock-serious tone, like a press secretary at a political briefing. His stiff delivery clashed hilariously with the rowdy crowd. 

Then he gave Ronan a playful look, “But one thing’s for sure—I can’t wait to have you back on the show. And next time, I’m not letting you speak at all. Otherwise, we might get a letter from the FCC, wondering if we’ve turned into a religious program.” 

Laughter exploded again. 

Jimmy might be mild-mannered, but he definitely knew how to land a joke. With just one line, he reset the tone of the show. The audience went wild, some even whistling and cheering. 

Ronan quickly mimed zipping his lips shut—he wouldn’t say another word. 

Then Maksim jumped in, sharp as ever: “Well, now I feel reassured. That sounds like an invitation to come back as musical guests. To be honest, we’re a lot more confident in our performances than our talking.” 

Perfect timing. 

With that clever spin, Maksim turned Jimmy’s “ban” into an open door. He even high-fived Cliff to celebrate the comeback, and Cliff looked thoroughly impressed. 

Jimmy chuckled, “No need to wait for the next show. Ronan, how about giving us a few lines from Chasing the Light right now?” 

Ronan raised his eyebrows and leaned back slightly, eyeing Jimmy with exaggerated disbelief. 

As he leaned back, he bumped lightly into Ollie, who mumbled with a puzzled tone, “I thought only The Ellen Show did stuff like that?” 

That one-liner hit the mark— The audience burst into laughter once again. 

Ellen DeGeneres’s Ellen Show aired in the morning and was known for high-energy dancing and frequent singalongs with guests. In contrast, late-night shows like The Jimmy Feathers Show didn’t usually feature spontaneous musical numbers. Musical performances were planned segments, with separate musical guests. Tonight, One Day King was here to be interviewed, not to perform. 

Ollie’s muttered line not only earned laughs but also gave Ronan a graceful out, sparing him from having to reject the request directly. Jimmy couldn’t have been more pleased. 

This episode had already exceeded expectations—and now, it was time to wrap up. 

Jimmy pulled a mock-serious face and said with mock disappointment, “Well, I gave you your chance. Since you declined, we’ll just have to let it go.” 

The audience, knowing the cues of a live taping, immediately began to boo and cheer playfully. Their reaction was part of the dance—host, guest, and audience all playing their roles to perfection. 

The showmanship was complete. 

Chapter 254: Recording Ends 

Amidst the boisterous cheering from the audience, Jimmy spread his hands, raised his brows with an innocent expression, and said nothing—letting his face speak for itself. Just then, the red light of Camera Two lit up, and Jimmy instinctively turned to face it. 

"Clearly, we’ve had some very special guests tonight—not only are they trying to steal my job, but it looks like they’re also ready to run for next week’s election. Though I have no clue if they’d even get the nomination, I can say this much—they’ve left their mark tonight." 

"The band’s album has officially dropped, and their single is setting off an unbelievable chain reaction. This wave is coming for us fast, and we genuinely hope they catch their light. So, we’ll wrap up our first interview of the evening." 

“Ladies and gentlemen, One Day Kings!” 

With that final, clear introduction, Jimmy concluded the interview. 

It was abrupt, but not unexpected. 

Typically, The Jimmy Feather Show featured two to four sets of guests per episode. Each segment was timed down to the minute—usually five or ten minutes tops. 

For a newcomer indie band like One Day Kings, getting even five minutes was already a rare opportunity. It wasn’t unusual for rookie guests to barely speak at all. 

But today’s recording had already far exceeded ten minutes. Judging by Jimmy’s experience, it could easily be edited into a full fifteen-minute segment—an honor practically unheard of for a new band. Which is why he had to end the interview—not just to make room for the next guests, but also because he could tell: if they kept going, it might never end. 

As Jimmy suspected, Ronan was a natural in the spotlight—witty, bold, honest. The entire interview flowed effortlessly. For a host, that’s pure joy. To be honest, Jimmy had slightly underestimated him. The show had slipped out of his control a bit. 

If there’s a next time—and there will be—Jimmy will be ready. 

“Quick reminder to our viewers, we still have Matt Damon joining us tonight. So if you’re interested, don’t go anywhere. We’ll be right back after the break.” 

Smooth and efficient, Jimmy signed off the first interview. It felt a bit rushed, a little sudden, but honestly, that was the best way to cut it off—before he lost control and kept the interview going indefinitely. 

“Cut!” 

The production staff clapped the slate shut, signaling the end of the recording. 

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 

Thunderous applause erupted across the studio as the live audience rose to their feet in a spontaneous standing ovation, offering heartfelt praise for the band. 

Perhaps because no one had expected anything going in—many hadn’t even heard of One Day Kings before tonight—they were caught off guard by the emotional power of the performance. The band didn’t just show up—they surprised and moved the entire room. 

The band members themselves were visibly stunned—this was their first time stepping into the spotlight outside of a music stage, and they’d done so with nervous hearts. To walk away with a roaring round of applause? That kind of joy was overwhelming—too intense to put into words. 

Ronan’s chest felt warm. 

After all, being an artist was a unique kind of job. It relied on audience support and love, on the warmth of attention and applause. Without the audience, a stage was incomplete. Without applause, a performance felt hollow. This was a job rooted in receiving love—and giving it back. 

The audience, in many ways, was the job. 

If they’d walled themselves off, believing they were above their listeners, basking in their own little world, then the point of it all would be lost—even in high art, that balance between expression and connection was essential. 

Unfortunately, over the past seven years, One Day Kings hadn’t seen much love or feedback. It had drained their faith, slowly. 

Now, in just three months, they’d received more than ever before. It was still modest, but it was deeply moving. 

Ollie, still reeling, muttered from behind Ronan, “Are… are they clapping for us?” 

Ronan blinked, a little amazed himself. “I think so.” His lips curved into a soft smile. This—this—was why he loved the stage. Why he loved taking risks. Why he loved life. It was full of challenge, full of the unknown. And they were exploring it step by step. 

From a concert stage to a talk show couch, this was a leap into the unknown—but applause and laughter had welcomed them on the other side. They’d brought joy to others, and they were feeling that joy in return. 

Ronan grinned and waved at the crowd. “Thank you,” he said again and again, letting gratitude flow openly from his heart. 

Seeing him, Ollie mimicked the gesture. Before long, a shy smile crept onto his face too. 

Cliff and Maksim followed suit. They were surprised by the reaction too, but when they saw Ronan’s response, they felt like they’d been given direction—so they raised their hands and joined in the wave of thanks. 

Jimmy stood with the audience, clapping with heartfelt enthusiasm. He was genuinely happy for the band. 

Then, stepping away from his desk, he moved straight over to Maksim and quickly apologized. “That last bit? Just a gag for the show. You get that, right?” 

Truthfully, Jimmy wasn’t entirely satisfied with his performance today. He felt the jokes weren’t strong enough, and he hadn’t distributed attention evenly across the four members. But he did notice something promising— 

Besides Ronan, Maksim had strong on-screen charisma. Compared to how he’d been at the party, Maksim was much more confident here. He didn’t say much, but every time he did speak, it landed. That’s gold for a talk show guest. 

Maksim turned to Jimmy and pulled him into a warm hug. “Of course I get it. I should be the one thanking you for the opportunity. My nightmare was coming on a show and not saying a single word. Sure, people would still remember me for my stunning good looks, but I want more than that. I don’t want to just be a pretty face.” 

That reply… caught Jimmy off guard. Why hadn’t he noticed that at the party? 

Jimmy burst out laughing, clapping his hands in delight. “Well, congrats. Looks like your nightmare didn’t come true today.” 

Chapter 255: Playing the Part 

Maksim really was quite a character. 

“So, how do I look on camera today? Does the lens love me or not? I’ve heard some people are naturally photogenic, while others can’t quite translate through the screen. I’m pretty sure I was made for the big screen—Alice used to say that when she shot YouTube videos. But as for television? Not so sure…” 

Maksim rambled on, genuinely concerned. His expression made it clear—this wasn’t a joke. 

“Haha.” Jimmy couldn’t help but laugh. “Why don’t you go check the monitor yourself? I’m sure our director would be thrilled to give you a full report,” he said, leaning in with a grin. “Especially since our director has zero resistance to good-looking guys. I’m sure your charm will do the trick.” 

“Ah!” Maksim’s eyes lit up, full of confidence. But before he could speak, Cliff suddenly leaned over, his eyes glinting with curiosity. Jimmy picked up on it right away. “What’s up?” 

Cliff took a step forward while Maksim stepped back, actually looking around the studio, seemingly searching for the director. Then Cliff asked, “Is Matt Damon really here in the studio?” 

Jimmy burst out laughing. 

Cliff looked a bit embarrassed. 

To musicians, Hollywood stars are the real celebrities. Unlike someone like Bruno Mars, Matt Damon came from an entirely different world—an elite realm cloaked in mystery and distance. That kind of aura naturally creates curiosity, even if you’re not a fan of his films. 

So now, with a chance for a possible close encounter, it was hard not to feel a little starstruck. 

But when Jimmy saw the seriousness in Cliff’s eyes, he couldn’t stop laughing. Cliff looked completely baffled, like a giant question mark had just popped up above his head: What did I say? Was it rude? Did I embarrass myself? Should I just run away right now? 

Jimmy quickly realized his reaction might’ve come across as rude and composed himself. 

“Cliff, I’m sorry. I wasn’t laughing at you—I promise. It’s just… you’re too cute. I’m guessing you haven’t watched many of my past shows, huh?” 

Cliff scratched his head awkwardly. 

“Matt... is a good friend of mine. A very good friend. I joke about him all the time on this show. So much so, we’ve had to clarify to the public—more than once—that we’re not actually insulting each other.” 

Jimmy then explained the whole inside joke: 

“Every so often, I’ll say Matt Damon’s supposed to appear on the show, but then at the end, I’ll announce we ran out of time and he couldn’t come on. It’s just a recurring gag. Matt isn’t actually here tonight.” 

As Jimmy recalled the whole bit, he couldn’t help but grin again, thinking about Cliff’s honest reaction. 

In fact, the “Matt Damon bit” had become a Jimmy Kimmel Live! trademark. Practically every fan of the show could quote it: 

“Sorry, Matt Damon. We ran out of time.” 

And the truth? Damon was never even scheduled. 

This gag started back in 2005, but its origins trace back to 2003 when Jimmy had just begun hosting his own late-night show. At the time, his ratings were middling at best, and the show lacked identity. In an attempt to shake things up, Jimmy and his producers came up with the idea to end each episode with the line “Sorry, [celebrity], we ran out of time,” naming a huge Hollywood star each time for comedic effect. 

The first name Jimmy ever used? Matt Damon. 

At the time, the two didn’t even know each other. But the audience loved it, and to Jimmy’s surprise, Matt did too. In fact, Matt’s team reached out and suggested they keep the bit going. That was the beginning of a long-running friendship—and one of the most iconic gags in late-night history. 

Jimmy eventually found his footing as a host, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! became a flagship show for ABC. Still, compared to other late-night giants, Jimmy always felt like the underdog. 

So in 2007, Damon made his first real appearance on the show. 

But Jimmy—true to form—got the last laugh. After an absurdly long, overly complimentary introduction that dragged on for over three minutes, Damon finally sat down in his chair... only for Jimmy to immediately hit him with the classic line: 

“Sorry, Matt Damon. We ran out of time.” 

Cue credits. Damon went ballistic. 

His on-air meltdown—swearing, yelling, practically spitting foam—was so real, the internet exploded. Viewers genuinely believed he was furious. The segment became the highest-rated late-night clip of 2007. 

The backlash was intense. People were convinced Jimmy and Matt were enemies. Despite multiple clarifications that it was all a pre-planned gag, many fans still believed the feud was real. 

Jimmy even stopped mentioning Damon for a while, bothered by the negative reaction. 

Eventually, it was Damon who told Jimmy not to worry about it—“We know the truth, and that’s what matters.” That reassurance brought the joke back to life. 

Dedicated fans could tell it was all showbiz. And the ultimate proof? 

In 2008, for the show’s fifth anniversary, Jimmy’s then-girlfriend Sarah Silverman sent in a surprise video. It was supposed to be a tribute. 

Instead, it was a viral revenge clip—starring Matt Damon. 

In the video, Sarah repeatedly sang one line: 

“I’m f***ing Matt Damon.” 

Jimmy was stunned. 

That episode became the second-highest-rated special among all late-night shows that year and cemented Jimmy Kimmel Live! as a pop culture juggernaut. 

So when Jimmy casually dropped the “Matt Damon” line tonight, he was just keeping the tradition alive—never imagining Cliff would actually fall for it. 

(End of chapter)