During Thursday night's edition of Jimmy Kimmel Live, the ABC comedian helped first lady Michelle Obama make a public service announcement “encouraging kids to make healthier choices about foods” in a new campaign called “FNV,” which stands for “Fruits 'N' Veggies.”
However, Kimmel pretended to be baffled by the effort's name, which he claimed stands for “Eat Your Effin' Vees” since he knows what the “F” really stands for because “I have HBO.”
The comedian began the segment by stating:
As you probably know, our first lady, Michelle Obama, is very passionate about getting us to exercise, but we won't, so now she would like us to eat healthy foods.
She's leading a new campaign to encourage young people to do the unthinkable: eat things that grow, and since I am beloved by children all over the world, much like Santa Claus, Mrs. Obama asked me to help her spread the word, so please give this your undivided attention, if you would.
The scene then shifted to Kimmel and his guest, who introduced herself as “first lady Michelle Obama.”
At that point, the comedian said: “I'm regular man Jimmy Kimmel.'
“And we'd like to talk about a subject near to my heart,” Obama stated, “encouraging kids to make healthier choices about food, and I couldn't be more excited about a new campaign called FNV.”
“As in 'Eat Your Effin' Vees,” Kimmel added.
“What was that?” the first lady asked.
“What was what?” the comedian replied.
“The 'Effin,'” Obama stated.
“It's the name of the thing,” Kimmel replied. “FNV.”
“No, no, Jimmy. It isn't,” the first lady said. “I think you might be a little confused.”
“I think you actually might be a little confused,” Kimmel stated, “but you're the first lady, I guess, so you go ahead.”
“The 'V' stands for 'Vegetables,' and the 'F' stands for .. “
Kimmel then cut the first lady off by stating:
You know what? I'm gonna stop you right there because I know what it stands for. I have HBO.
It's not OK, and this is supposed to be for kids. There shouldn't be an “F” in it.
“Jimmy, the 'F' stands for 'Fruit,'” Michelle Obama said. “It's fruit, just fruit.”
“That makes no sense at all,” Kimmel said.
“The 'V' is for 'Vegetables,' the 'F' is for 'Fruit.' 'F and V,' get it?” the first lady responded.
“Can I be honest with you?” Kimmel asked.
“Yeah, of course,” Obama replied
“I don't [get it],” the comedian said.
“That's OK,” she stated. “It's a little complicated. That's OK.”
Kimmel then changed the subject by asking: “Can I sleep over in the Lincoln Bedroom?”
“No, you can't sleep in the Lincoln Bedroom, Jimmy,” the first lady replied.
“Can I wash my hair in the Lincoln Bathroom?” the comedian asked next.
“No, no. You can't do that either,” Obama responded.
Kimmel then referred to one of the items on the table between them. “Can I have this tomato?”
“Yes, you may have the tomato,” she stated. “It's all yours.”
“Thank you,” the comedian said.
“I got the tomato,” he said triumphantly as he stepped out of camera range.
“Eat your veggies,” the first lady said to Kimmel before turning to the camera. “You, too,” she said to the people watching the segment.
On the FNV website, the organization is described as being “powered by the Partnership for a Healthier America and supported by our amazing partners,” which range from Balthouse Farms to Leg Work.
According to an article on the Business Insider website written by Alyson Shontell:
The purpose of the campaign is to give healthy foods like apples and bananas the same air-time and exposure big brands like McDonald's give Big Macs.
Fast food companies spend billions of dollars on advertising, but there's never been a big brand backing healthy, natural foods.
“Celebrity endorsers for Obama's FNV campaign reportedly include singer Nick Jonas, actress Jessica Alba and athletes Victor Cruz and Stephen Curry,” Shontell noted.
“The FNV campaign was announced in February, but this is the first advertisement to air,” she added.
Of course, we can only wonder what Kimmel would do to promote a campaign supported by a Republican first lady. Even if he helped in creating a public service announcement, he would probably be far less enthusiastic than he was with Michelle Obama.
