If you’ve been watching late-night television lately, you might have noticed a very specific, slick-haired version of California Governor Gavin Newsom popping up on ABC. He’s charming, he’s fast-talking, and he looks suspiciously like a certain NBC host. That’s because he is. Well, sort of. It’s Josh Meyers, and his recurring presence on Jimmy Kimmel Live! has become one of the most delightful "crossovers" in a medium that used to be defined by bitter rivalries.
For years, the late-night wars were real. Letterman vs. Leno. Side-eyes and subtle jabs. But in 2026, the vibe is different. We have the "Strike Force Five" era to thank for that, where the hosts realized they actually like each other. Yet, even in this friendly climate, seeing the brother of Seth Meyers—the face of Late Night on NBC—working as a resident sketch player for Jimmy Kimmel is a fascinating twist.
It’s not just a cameo. It’s a strategy.
The Gavin Newsom Connection
The cornerstone of the Josh Meyers Jimmy Kimmel collaboration is, without a doubt, the Gavin Newsom impression. Josh doesn’t just do the voice; he captures the specific, polished intensity that makes Newsom such a target for parody. When Josh appears as "Gov Gav," he often leans into the "Golden State" slickness, making jokes about California’s quirks while maintaining a bizarrely high energy level.
What makes this funny? The meta-layer.
💡 You might also like: How to Watch The Wolf and the Lion Without Getting Lost in the Wild
Kimmel often plays the straight man to Josh’s Newsom. In one standout moment from late 2025, Seth Meyers actually "crashed" the monologue while Josh was in character. The irony was thick. Seth was trying to talk to his brother, and Josh—fully committed to the Newsom bit—refused to break. He even took a shot at Seth’s fashion sense, calling him a "substitute Montessori teacher."
It’s rare to see that kind of family-meets-work-rivalry play out on a competing network. But Kimmel has always been a fan of the "brother act." Remember, this is the guy who has been fake-feuding with Matt Damon for twenty years. Adding a Meyers brother to the mix just fits his brand of chaos.
Why Josh Meyers is the Perfect Fit for Kimmel
Josh isn't just "Seth's brother." He's a MadTV alum. He knows how to build a character from the ground up. While Seth is the master of the "Desk Story" and political sharp-shooting, Josh is a physical chameleon.
- He’s got the improv background from Boom Chicago in Amsterdam.
- He’s comfortable being the "guest" who stays in character far too long.
- He bridges the gap between the East Coast and West Coast late-night scenes.
Honestly, the chemistry works because Kimmel’s show feels like a playground. While Late Night with Seth Meyers is often a bit more structured and writerly, Jimmy Kimmel Live! has a looseness that lets Josh run wild. You can tell Jimmy is genuinely having fun when Josh is on stage. There’s no ego involved—just two guys trying to make each other laugh.
📖 Related: Is Lincoln Lawyer Coming Back? Mickey Haller's Next Move Explained
The "Betrayal" Seth Jokes About
Naturally, this has led to some hilarious "beef" between the two shows. Seth has joked on his own program and on their joint podcast, Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers, about how Jimmy "stole" his brother.
During an interview on Kimmel's show, Seth accused Jimmy of "pulling a fast one." It’s a great bit. You have the older brother—the "risk-averse" one, as their father Larry puts it—watching his "aggressive" younger brother thrive on the "enemy" network.
But it’s all in good fun. In fact, Josh’s work on Kimmel has probably done more to humanize the late-night hosts than any PR campaign could. It shows that these guys are fans of comedy first and network employees second.
A Career Built on Character
People forget Josh Meyers has been in the game forever. He wasn't just handed a spot on Kimmel because of his last name.
👉 See also: Tim Dillon: I'm Your Mother Explained (Simply)
- MadTV: This is where he cut his teeth, doing impressions of everyone from Eminem to Owen Wilson.
- That '70s Show: He stepped into the difficult "Randy" role after Topher Grace left. It was a thankless job, but he handled it with grace.
- The Pee-wee Herman Show: He worked with the late Paul Reubens on Broadway.
When you look at that resume, the Gavin Newsom bit on Kimmel makes total sense. It’s the culmination of decades of sketch comedy experience. He’s not a guest; he’s a professional satirist who happens to have a very famous brother.
What This Means for Late Night’s Future
We are living in the era of the "Late Night Multiverse." The fact that Josh Meyers can be a regular on Jimmy Kimmel while co-hosting a podcast with Seth Meyers proves that the old rules are dead.
Audiences don't want the fake animosity of the 90s. They want to see talented people collaborating. When Josh appears on Kimmel, it feels like an "Easter egg" for hardcore comedy fans. It’s a nod to the fact that everyone is in on the joke.
Kimmel’s willingness to share the spotlight with a "Meyers" shows a level of confidence. He’s not worried about losing viewers to Seth; he’s focused on making the best fifteen-minute monologue in television. And right now, Josh Meyers is a huge part of that.
Next Steps for Fans:
To see the full range of this collaboration, check out the Jimmy Kimmel Live! YouTube channel and search for the "Gov Gav" segments. If you want the behind-the-scenes reality of their relationship, listen to the Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers podcast, specifically the episodes where they talk about Josh’s commute to the Los Angeles studio. Watching the clips side-by-side with Seth’s reactions on Late Night gives you the full picture of the funniest "feud" in Hollywood.