Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Critique ‘Melania’ Box Office Performance
Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel provided their humorous commentary on the box office performance of the documentary *Melania: Twenty Days to History* during recent episodes of their respective late-night shows. The film, focused on First Lady Melania Trump, reportedly earned $7 million, surpassing early predictions that estimated ticket sales between $1 million and $5 million.
Critical Insights from Colbert and Kimmel
Colbert pointed out that while the $7 million figure may seem impressive, it requires context. He noted that this amount represents less than 10% of the estimated $75 million Amazon invested in the project, which included a reported payment of at least $28 million directly to Melania Trump. He quipped, “That’s enough cash to put a smile on your face … if that were physically possible.” Colbert even brought on a Melania Trump impersonator to add to the jest.
Kimmel, on the other hand, focused on the film’s critical reception. He highlighted that *Melania* holds a mere 5% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics. To emphasize this point, he compared it to the infamous 2003 film *Gigli*, which is often cited as a cinematic failure. Kimmel said, “That is very low. To put that in perspective, that is one percent lower than *Gigli*.” Despite the poor critical response, Kimmel noted a stark contrast in audience reactions, with a 99% positive rating from viewers, even higher than *The Godfather*.
Amazon’s Claims and Audience Reactions
Kimmel humorously questioned Amazon’s announcement that it achieved the best opening for a nonmusical documentary in 14 years. He remarked, “I think [that] is a fancy way of saying it only lost tens of millions of dollars.” The late-night host also joked about potential bulk ticket purchases by Republican groups, suggesting that ticket sales might be artificially inflated. He further demanded a recount, saying, “Send in Tulsi Gabbard and the FBI. Seize the ticket machines, the popcorn buckets, the box-office receipts at every multiplex in America.”
In a final jab, Kimmel commented on Amazon’s owner Jeff Bezos, mentioning his decision to lay off approximately one-third of The Washington Post’s staff, coinciding with the funding of *Melania*.
Conclusion
The contrasting box office figures and critical feedback surrounding *Melania: Twenty Days to History* serve as a rich source for satire among late-night hosts. With $7 million in box office receipts, the documentary’s financial success may not be as substantial as it appears, prompting further scrutiny into both its production costs and audience engagement.
