Rob Ford’s insistence that he has travelled to Los Angeles to promote Toronto’s film scene is generating plenty of skepticism at city hall ahead of a much anticipated late night television appearance by the mayor.
Ford along with brothers Randy and Doug arrived in Tinseltown on Saturday ahead of a planned appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" tonight.
While in the city, Ford has repeatedly referred to Toronto as “Hollywood North” and told reporters that he would use the trip to promote the city’s film scene, but he has been short on details on how he would do that and has ducked questions on whether he and the city would be a punch line on Kimmel’s show, telling CTV News to “ask Jimmy.”
“If he got invited to be on Jimmy Kimmel fine but what I think is unfortunate is that he is trying to justify it by talking about it as some trumped-up trade mission for the film industry,” Coun. Shelley Carroll told CP24 on Monday morning. “He hasn’t taken the professional staff to deal with that and he doesn’t even seem to have had a briefing on the film industry in Toronto other than the price tag."
“I sit on the Toronto Film Board and movies are a very important part of our economy, but if that was the prime reason for going down there or one of the two main reasons for it, I would have expected him to meet first with the people here that are in the business so he could know who to talk to and what to say when he is down there,” added Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly.
Ford initially refused to answer questions on who is funding his trip to Los Angeles, but on Monday afternoon his office told CP24 that Ford and his councillor brother Doug are paying their own way and that of their staff while Kimmel’s show only covered the cost of one dinner.
The city’s code of conduct prohibits the mayor and councillors from “accepting a fee, advance, gift or personal benefit” connected directly or indirectly to the performance of their duties.
“The reason why the mayor is on these late-night talk shows is not to promote Toronto. That is not why he was asked to come on the show,” Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong told CP24 at city hall Monday. “He was asked so they can focus in and highlight many of the mayor’s problems and faults.”
Ford makes brief appearance on Kimmel
Ford has been comedic fodder for Kimmel since his even before his crack cocaine scandal started making headlines last spring. Kimmel first noticed the mayor when he crashed face first into a television camera at city hall, uttering expletives as he walked away. The video became a viral sensation.
On Sunday night, Ford made a brief appearance on Kimmel’s show setting up his appearance the next day.
“I can honestly say that I have never been more excited about a guest than I am for this one,” Kimmel said before Ford walked onto the stage dressed in a tuxedo.
Kimmel then told Ford he had showed up a day early, to which the mayor replied ““Oh, sorry Jimmy,” before turning back.
After Ford disappeared, Kimmel said: “And let that be a lesson, kids. God does answer your prayers, if you pray hard enough.”
Later, "House of Cards" actor Kevin Spacey had a laugh at the mayor's expense.
“I just have to say that’s the first time I’ve had to follow a Ford, and one that was so banged up,” Spacey told Kimmel during their interview.
Ford takes in Oscar party
The mayor has been kept busy while in Los Angeles, posing for photos and even attending the Salute to the Stars after-party following Sunday night’s Oscars.
Speaking with CP24 at city hall, Kelly said the mayor has officially clearly become a celebrity, though he indicated that may not be a good thing.
“He’s been transformed into a celebrity and celebrities are celebrated for who they are, not what they are,” Kelly said.
Ford will appear on Kimmel’s show alongside Gonzo of “The Muppets” and the band Fitz and the Tantrums.
Coun. Ford defends trip to Los Angeles
Any negative feedback or criticism about the mayor’s trip to Los Angeles is the work of the “Rob Ford haters,” according to the mayor’s brother.
“We don’t have to go in and get a permission slip from these folks,” Coun. Doug Ford said of the response of some people during a telephone interview with CP24 Monday night.
“Rob had a tremendous response here – everything’s been positive right across the board. We’re going to continue on with the positive message. That’s why we’re here.
“We’re pumping the movie industry,” Ford added. “We do $1.2 billion in that industry a year. It’s been a really good trip, and we’re just going to continue to pump Toronto, and that’s what Rob’s going to do tonight.”
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