Jimmy Valmer: Comedy as a Crutch

SUPPORT ME ON PATREON!- / johnny2cellos
Jimmy Valmer wasn’t introduced in South Park until season 5, but since then, he’s become one THE most prominent kids outside of the main four. In fact, outside of Butters, I think he may have the MOST episodes focused on him out of any other kid in South Park. And there’s good reason for that. Jimmy is an incredibly well rounded character, he’s super funny, and his interests and moral compass create a TON of narrative possibilities in the show. So today let’s dive into everything that makes Jimmy Valmer one of the most likable kids in South Park.
Edited by @ToonrificTariq
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Music:
Johnny 2 Cellos Theme Music - Norman Marston
Johnny 2 Cellos Theme Remix- @BlackTyeChi
@lofigeek
Video Used:
South Park (1996-2023)
South Park Bigger Longer and Uncut (1999)
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted.
"Fair Use" guidelines: www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html

[@DrJohnAZoidberg]

I've always loved the fact that Jimmys super hero name is Fast Pass, when in real life, the fast pass at most amusement parks are just as slow

[@keane6]

at disney it sure as shit ain't. when I went back in 2018, the avatar ride in animal kingdom that had an estimated 8 hour wait time went by in like 30ish minutes in the fast pass lane. and most of the other lines went by in under 5 minutes in fast pass. maybe its gotten worse since then, idk.

[@Careless-sv6cf]

​@@keane6 true. When I went to Disneyland with my grandma and her friends and their grandkids we all got to ride the rides super quick. Since my grandmother and her friend were permanently disabled they both got the disabled fast pass meaning we all got to not only be in the fast pass lanes but we were also put in front of the people who paid for fast passes.

[@stinky470]

I had no idea, that's awesome 😭

[@alize0623]

Fast passes are also usually given for free to the disabled.

[@wr5488]

I assumed it was a disabled joke since they get to go to the front of the line. I used to go to Disney all the time, I’m like 20 min away. Lines used to be like 15-30 minutes tops besides Indiana Jones. Now haven’t been in like a decade or more but I bet it’s insane now. Fast pass helped when it first came out! In like 2003 I was in 4th grade and my aunt took me one day with a fast pass (during work hours so less crowded) and lines were like 5 minutes max. Took longer to get in the park lol. A bird also shat in my cotton candy and it melted the sugar and wormed it’s way inside and I didn’t realize until I got to it. That’s my main memory.

[@SkyBlade79]

As a stutterer, I think that Jimmy is legitimately the best representation of stuttering in media. Not only is he a great, well-rounded character whose stutter isn't treating cruely, it's also a super realistic stutter.

[@65FM1Edits]

I'm a person that stutters too lol and I fully agree :)

[@thegoatcarnival]

The jokes about his stutter are rare but I like them when they appear, particularly when he tries to call Wendy a "continuing source of inspiration" for Stan, but he stutters at that first syllable.

[@SkyBlade79]

@@thegoatcarnival that's my favorite stuttering joke ever haha

[@majorghoul9017]

I also appreciate that people don't seem to make fun of him for his stutter outright, instead just letting him take his time to finish whatever he has to say

[@danielsurvivor1372]

​@@thegoatcarnival Jimmy: "C- c- c- c-" Wendy: "What are you trying to call me?" 😡

[@SuperBatSpider]

I like how Jimmy can stand for a short bit, a lot of people think you either can walk or can’t walk, some people just experience pain when standing or walking

[@roobusmcscroobus]

I understand some of the misconceptions, but at the same time they're super annoying when you have to explain that you still need your mobility aid even though you can still technically move without it. It's nice that Jimmy's movements have realism to them :)

[@sugarsedative]

my childhood best friend's mom is like that. she can walk, but she had a hip replacement & can only walk short distances before it's painful. disabilities aren't black and white like most would assume

[@pikachuneoncat6480]

The fact that Matt and Trey make fun of everyone but still have the best written and most respectful disabled characters really says something about how other shows can stand to write better disabled characters.

[@frankielovejoy9928]

I think part of why this works is South Park's idea that no one is safe from comedy. We know from the show's tone that everyone is going to be made fun of at some point, no matter their gender, race, background, beliefs, or physical abilities. So, the fact that Jimmy is a disabled comedian feels right at home in South Park.

[@CarlsCozyCorner]

Idk Timmy isn't exactly respectful

[@jairusjackson7799]

Because they use them outside of just making a political point. That characters get to exist outside of that, having their own solo adventures. And hanging out with the other kids as equals during their adventures too. A lot of shows will ONLY use these characters for their political episodes and never let them hang out or do anything with the other characters outside of that

[@kobe-wankenobi6843]

“Comedy as a Crutch” is such a hilarious fucking title 😭

[@denifnaf5874]

Jimmy swanson😂

[@tastefullys]

Ohhhh I get it

[@rachelpogue66]

I love how the other kids don't discriminate or bully Jimmy or Timmy for their disabilities. Everybody treats them just like any other kid in town. Even Cartman is mostly cool with them. Plus, I LOVE that somehow Jimmy is able to play death metal drums 🤘

[@cailieisidro5758]

Facts

[@michaelmallia6462]

I absolutely adore this. Nobody ever makes fun of Jimmy or Timmy for their disabilities. The other kids fully accept that it's just the way these two are. People will sometimes roll their eyes a bit if Jimmy has a particularly bad stuttering spree, but they never give him any crap for it. These two are part of the group, so they're naturally included in everything. Jimmy is a part of their baseball team in The Losing Edge. In Proper Condom Use, there's an offhand remark from one of the boys that they need to help Timmy with his condom.

[@nickrustyson8124]

I guess it would make sense given they knew them for a long time Def Leppard's Drummer is one armed so it wouldn't surprise me if someone with Jimmy's disability could also play the drums (No really look it up, any post 1985 song of there is from him)

[@robertmicropenis5114]

Timmy and the lords of the underworld is an all-time great

[@pierrelindgren5727]

Even way back with Timmy and the Lords of The Underworld. Timmy also isn't portrayed as slow or dumb. He's an entrepreneur on par with Butters, as seen with his success with Handicar. Also shown willing to call out his friend when he realizes Jimmy is taking steroids. In Fractured But Whole, Timmy tries to bring all the kids together with his super hero franchise plan. There's also that time Timmy handed Jimmy Kenny's cursed jacket in an attempt to murder him, but we're not all perfect.

[@UATU.]

Jimmy won my heart when he took Nut Gobbler to a nice restaurant before their “date”.

[@kyuusei19]

"You gonna break his legs, PC Principal?" Gotta be one of my favorite episode !

[@thejungwookim]

You know South Park is good when secondary characters are more beloved than main characters, he's comfortably my 2nd favorite behind Butters

[@tuckermitchell7869]

Same, Butters is the best character on the show

[@madnightguard6296]

I do believe South Park is a very good show, but having your secondary characters be more interesting than your main characters is usually a red flag rather than a good sign. Though with comedy shows this is when it is most likely an exception due to the importance of "The straight man".

[@BooboosANDBloodshed_95]

Same Butters is my all-time favorite .

[@frankielovejoy9928]

I like how the very nature of South Park allows the writers to do some interesting things with Jimmy without him ever feeling like a stereotype. Like, the show actually remembers that Jimmy is a *character,* and not just walking representation, and the writers don't hold back with him. Jimmy can experience difficulties with his disability, but he can also be liked or hated by others, sometimes justified or unjustified, he's able to be thrown into some wacky situations without feeling out of place, and he's allowed to throw hands when the situation calls for it. Jimmy's a bit like Wendy where Wendy sometimes seems like she's just "the girl" character: They both superficially fit into certain roles audiences have come to expect, but they rarely *function* that way.

[@alemonyoyo69420]

Yeah! He's neither walking representation or walking prejudice. They find perfect ground for him to be someone outside of his disability.

[@jagnestormskull3178]

Definitely. Jimmy Valmer isn't the "supercrip," or the "disabled kid whose thrown in there to garner sympathy," he's a special ed kid with strong morals trying to find his way in the world. This style of writing characters is why so many Jewish people (including me) love the character of Kyle - he's not the "Willow Jew," or the "Hasidic stereotype that gets thrown in as a witness to a hate crime," he's an actual independent character that's representative of the experience of a lot of American Jews who feel caught between two worlds.

[@alphabetsoup6837]

Even though Wendy is currently canonically non-binary as shown in the fractured but whole

[@alemonyoyo69420]

@@alphabetsoup6837 It depends. Is Wendy herself Non-Binary, or is her superhero persona Non-Binary?

[@BennSimonn]

I always thought Jimmy's surname was changed from Swanson to Valmer because of Joe Swanson from Family Guy and that Jimmy has cerebral palsy

[@bellemane5839]

The Krips and the Bloods episode will always be one of my parents’ and I’s favorite episodes. We also quote Mimsy and Nathan daily. 🤣

[@bluecanine3374]

What's most impressive is him hitting those drum kick pedals in their metal band.

[@cailieisidro5758]

True

[@williamklemp3764]

Man, the fact that paramount tried to flag this is super aggravating. This was an excellent character analysis, and is well within "Fair Use" terms, in regards to it's clips usage. Glad it's back up, I'll gladly watch again lol good luck with the algorithm

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

The pun is perfect. Jimmy would be proud

[@acidspitpanda]

I loved how the south park creators utilized Jimmy’s character in SOT and TFBW.

[@TKsh1]

The most interesting thing about Jimmy is that he's a really nice and well-written character in an surreal, dark comedy satire like South Park.

[@cailieisidro5758]

True. Despite being a huge South Park fan, he’s one of the characters who don’t suffer flanderzation. He’s still passionate for comedy. He still fight for what’s right. He also does take his journalism side job seriously. He’s a good friend. And confident. Whether he has his own character spotlight or just a side character in an episode, the creators balance all his good and bad traits. Funnily enough, Cartman’s my favorite character but even I admit he’s more of a malicious villain than a school bully

[@TheSkyCaptain]

A video about Nathan would be great. He's one of my fav side characters, always excited to see whatever thing he's dealing this episode. Or how he interacts with whoever's buying whatever from him or Jimmy or Mimsy. He's very money driven. Butters goes a more honorable route with genuine effort and hard work whilst Nathan is more than willing to be a lil true neutral with however he gets a buck. Also, he's very intelligent and cunning to plan as many scemes as he does. They backfire but next episode he's in, he's gonna try again. I don't think he's ever actually had a recorded win that we've seen.

[@timmyman9677]

Nathan and Mimsy, and a lot of the other disabled background characters, are made to reassemble and act like old Acme character characters from the old Bugs Bunny days, namely Rocky and Mugsey.

[@waterking74]

I like Nathan when he smiles like that knife cat meme and when he gets his karma in the end

[@esmeselin4478]

He is also genuinely one of my favourite characters 🖤

[@LillethTheRabbit]

i would ADORE an episode on nathan, he's such a cool character and i love how he's evolved since his introduction.

[@JesusMartinez-rr2ry]

Since we're here, you might as well start working on a video about Timmy if you haven't already, as both Timmy and Jimmy are South Park characters that I love so much.

[@guldmattbb473]

Jimmy is definitely my favorite character next to Butters and Randy. He’s genuinely hilarious and I appreciate that they do stuff with him outside of just ‘haha he’s handicapped, get it’. I think a lot of comedies have a bad habit of taking characters that have disabilities and just defining them based on that singular thing, so it’s nice to see a character like Jimmy who more just happens to be handicapped but otherwise has his own fleshed out character and things to do outside of his being handicapped. Definitely did not expect a video on him, but I am very pleasantly surprised to see you post one!

[@cailieisidro5758]

While he’s not my favorite character, I agree with your statement. Disabilities usually get a bad representation through media but overtime, it became exclusive in modern cartoons. Besides Sesame Street (Which one of the show’s main goals is to be diverse), I feel like he’s one of the earlier examples of a character with a disability that gets discriminated on or isn’t fleshed out

[@ricksgrandauditorium8790]

Also yes...there no reason not to do a Nathan episode. Your channel deserves it. Also also, great stuff Johnny, love your channel, its one of the best, thank you.

[@basicsimp8798]

As someone with stutter, I love Jimmy. Definitely great representation

[@mysterionz]

I agree. I have a stutter as well, but it’s gotten less severe since 2015.

[@WelshGiraffa]

Jimmy is definitely one of my favourite side characters especially his moral compass and his determination to tell it how it is like when PC principal tried to stop him with how told the news on the school Newspaper

[@chadmfingjones]

The pun game is on point

[@gavinskradski940]

Need a Nathan episode. My new favorite SP quote is- “If you’re wearing a wire I will kick your a**”

[@chad9186]

Nathan and Mimbsy are based on Rocky and Mugsy. They're more like the Rocky and Mugsy to Jimmy's Bugs Bunny

[@tenenbaummark]

The way he uses the transition panels with Jimmy's lines is amazing. I mean, come awn

[@Mr_Case_Time]

I’m going to watch it 5,000 times.

[@yourmomscoochie6059]

what a fire plan

[@NumberOneVillain]

1:36 fun fact I never see anyone mention: there is in universe proof from Token HIMSELF that proves his name is/was Token. In the episode "Raising the bar" when he shows the class the trailer for Fatty Doodoo, it's preceded by a production company logo that both says and reads "Token Black productions" Checkmate, atheists

[@KVAnim]

Jimmy is, by far, my favorite character in South Park, well just behind Kenny, Butters, and Toilken. 😅

[@MovieMan1710]

Appreciate the video. Jimmy is one of my favorite characters in the show! He's such a funny character and I always appreciate his strong morals. Also, the Funny Bot episode was way ahead of its time

[@chad9186]

Was his last name changed from Swanson to Vulmar because Swanson was the last name of the crippled character on Family Guy? I doubt it. It could just be a coincidence because I assume Trey and Matt seen very little of Family Guy because most people don't watch shows they hate.

[@ShadyRK9]

Jimmy later changes his name to Kimmel as an adult and gets a late night gig at NBC. Thats my head canon!

[@mitchfletcher2386]

ABC, you mean.

[@noname2023m]

Hey, it's his head-canon.​@@mitchfletcher2386

[@damianpimpinella977]

Jimmy is my favourite character in the show and this video sums him up perfectly

[@jaisimpson2702]

Yes! Do a videos on Nathan, such an underrated character

[@jorgerosado2087]

Nathan and Mimsy are without a doubt some of my favorite characters in all of South Park. Despite their dynamic basically being Rocky and Mugsy from early Looney Tunes shorts, they're still funny and compelling enough to improve any episode they're in. I rewatch Handicar like every other day (not only due to them, but also for the Wacky Races bit. I'm a HUGE Hanna-Barbera fan).

[@prag-vq1cd]

Yes definitely need a video on Nathan, he’s so underrated imo! (I think they use him so well)

[@livecoilarchive1458]

He's my favorite character. 😊

[@porcupiney]

i’d LOVE a video on nathan! he came out of nowhere and he’s so funny, need to hear your thorough and well-researched thoughts on him

[@morbidsearch]

In 2013, a 14 year old boy called Jack Carroll finished in 2nd place on Britain's Got Talent. He's a stand up (or rather sit down) comedian with cerebral palsy who makes a lot of self deprecating jokes. I feel like he should be talked about more in the South Park fandom.

[@AlishaDear]

Jimmy has been one of my absolute favorite characters. I always thought he was the most moral and sweet out of the cast. I usually enjoyed episodes that centered on him. The episode where they join the Crips it’s still one of my absolute favorites.

[@LZ2ME]

Comedy as a crutch?! I howled 😭

[@lizzydakid]

Definitely my favorite character, his charisma and him Crippin. Love how everyone treats him as an equal too. 😂

[@skateorpie]

Jimmy is my favorite South Park character and I love to hear him talked about more. Hes hilarious.

[@brandonanderson4128]

Would definitely love to see a video all about Nathan!

[@PhantoRoyce]

Jimmy has always been my favorite character because I’m a disabled comedian too. Not physically but I got autism like 08 had hard times. I also use comedy as a crutch

[@DiehardtNG10]

Jimmy on the drums is too perfect foREVer

[@michaelpineiro533]

C-c-comedy as a Cru- Comedy as a Cru-uh-hu- Comedy as a Cru- uthc... Wow, what a terrific audience!

[@wintersakiller]

One of my favorite moments in the show is when Jimmy writes an article in the school paper with the r word and then PC Principal says he’ll break the legs of whoever wrote it. Then it pans over to Jimmy and Stan says “are you gonna break his legs PC Principal”

[@lowrider993]

So I missed Jmmy's intro episode, and when I saw them both for the 1st time, Jimmy and Timmy were best friends, its hard to believe they once hated each other

[@SPcrippledkidsmybeloved]

As someone who really has a deep connection to Nathan's character (i think i know everything about him at this point and he's basically my only doodle model in class + he's relatable) Heck yes, i want a video about him-

[@monikabeachy778]

The towelie intervention transition sent me AAAA that’s like one of my fav episodes

[@Krabnut]

100% need a Nathan episode

[@gezz5904]

Yes, PLEASE do a Nathan video. Kid’s gotta insane lore.

[@swarple]

I vividly remember the first time I ever saw Jimmy. I was binging season 19 but had actually never watched South Park before this season. I knew of its reputation as a very offensive show and, since this was the end of season 19, I had definitely seen its irreverence with my own eyes. So far, I’ve been enjoying it. And then this kid with crutches walks into frame and I am immediately hit with a pang of horror as I’m so certain I’m about to be hit with a barrage of ableist jokes, with this kid being the butt of them. And instead South Park treated me to such a likable, well written character and I immediately loved the guy. I think it was definitely one of the moments where I started to see that SP is a lot more than just edgy comedy, even if that’s what the show is most known for. Edit: Also, please do a video about Nathan! He’s hilarious.

[@akianne17]

I didn’t really watch a lot of south park back then like I do now but when SoT came out and I watched gameplays of it, I absolutely loved Jimmy and he is still my favourite character to this day

[@IIISWILIII]

"Wh-What's the matter, fellas? Are you ninjas or p-p-p ussies?!" Got me all over again 🤣 🤣 🤣

[@azax3813]

He and Timmy always included with the boys.

[@juggawheels420]

been wanting a vid like this. jimmy is perfect for normalizing disabled people. also his use of comedy is accurate as a way to disarm people with jokes. if u make them first theres no reason to bully

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Jimmy is amazing! Love your videos 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Fiftyseven-di3qs2nz3t]

I'd love to see a video about Nathan

[@YakeTalkSports]

I would absolutely love a video about Nathan

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Nathan is a great character

[@spaceranger6920]

Nathan and Mimsey video would be sublime

[@emailjustinbyrd]

Always down to support you, mister 2 cellos. Positive vibes your way, as always.

[@bemasaberwyn55]

With the name changes there's also Steven/Chris Stotch as well

[@Darkstar1484]

I would be up for seeing a video about Nathan

[@mithrilmage]

Please do a video on Nathan, he is a hilarious antithesis to Jimmy

[@mrnutriator]

nathan is my favorite side character jaust cause i lvoer those kind of evil and smart villians in general and he is funny as well so yeah a video about him wotuld be great

[@Wasabi-zy2qz]

Jimmy is my favorite character in the show, so I’m glad I got to find a video about him. :-)

[@BlackTyeChi]

We'd love a video about Nathan, please! Thank you!

[@ManuDunno]

I l-l-l-love J-J-Jimmy

[@uvafresca]

kind of unrelated but also related i became disabled in 2022 Jimmy as a character helped me adapt so much more LMAO Like it convinced me it wasnt too bad, and it isnt

[@chadlafrennie4065]

I liked how the Timmy and Jimmy fight was a shit for shit of the alley fight in THEY LIVE

[@omarvazquez4075]

That's why he's my favorite character

[@joshuaharris3039]

So glad I can watch this!

[@anthonyberry7948]

A Nathen video? Yes, yes please.

[@brendanrodriguez5111]

As a blind person, who constantly interacts iwth depictions of visually impared characters in animation, jimmy and TIMMMMYYY!!!!!!! Are great depictions of physical disabilities since they are characters first, and then their disabilities. Granted, they tend to have storylines relating to that since, that’s very important, but it’s not their entire personality. There’s another show that does a similar thing called the dragon prince where the blind pirate man is my favorite character, along with the badass deaf general, because they are characters adn then their disabilities.

[@Brianna-eo8nu]

My own personal headcanon about why Jimmy is more desperate in his second appearance in season 6 when trying to make friends was that after he got kicked off the Scouts for the doctored image, he wanted to try to rehabilitate his image after the scandal.

[@coachaidan5500]

always been very aware of social situations but simultaneously not self aware at all which led to a lot of confusion about how people saw me. random late night talk with close friends and they were saying who was similar to who in South Park. All the main ones got rattled off to the other guys and then it got kind of quiet. Sorta assumed they just forgot or didn’t have one for me until one of them says, “dude Aidan’s basically jimmy” and they all double down and agree I ask who that was (didn’t watch enough back then to know much about his character at all) He responds w the guy with the stutter and I’m like bruh the disabled kid??? They obviously explained it a bit but wasn’t sure if there was some joke there I was missing, but after watching this actually like completely changed that memory for me. Thank you for the video and like always the tasteful analysis and shout out to my boys for always being real ones even if they’re calling me the disable kid (from South Park).

[@zman224]

Oh....oh, its a must. Pretty princess poppyseeds do a Nathan video 😂😂😂😂😂

[@AltonDynamo]

I would love a Nathan video, it's always really fun when he shows up in an episode. Him being the Cred dealer in the recent special was just *chefs kiss*

[@ThatGuyChristo474]

I've been wanting a Jimmy video for a while now. You must be able to read minds.

[@Ironlungwrdsmth]

So happy to see a new South Park video… thanks Johnny

[@Moscow_VR]

whoa what a great audiance

[@Techrenamon]

You should do Timmy before you do Nathan. Gotta give love to the OG Timmy, he rolled so Jimmy could hobble

[@alejandragarcis5228]

Jimmy video yes we need more south park videos 💯

[@lexytrautz2824]

Would love to see a deep dive into Nathan! Love your vids!

[@ajayisastar8884]

🙋🏾‍♂️🙋🏾‍♂️🙋🏾‍♂️🙋🏾‍♂️🙋🏾‍♂️🙋🏾‍♂️🙋🏾‍♂️🙋🏾‍♂️🙋🏾‍♂️🙋🏾‍♂️I like Jimmy when he’s hanging out with his boys Craig,tweek,Tolkien and Clyde.

[@canimanamino2433]

I would personally love to see something on Nathan

[@indusackermanii2648]

Jimmy definitely became my second favorite character because he was unique & had a great personality.

[@chad3274]

I wonder if Matt and Trey got inspiration for Jimmy from the character, JC Hooper, in the 1986 movie, Night of the Creeps. He wore arm chrutches similar to Jimmy’s and liked cracking jokes.

[@takeshikujo2909]

6:53 To get PC Principal to laugh at one of those kinds of jokes you know you’ve made it.

[@oddityonion7373]

I woudl LOVE a video on nathan! (And maybe sometime pc principal if you havent yet?)

[@Johnny2Cellos]

FULLY planning a PC Principal video :)

[@oddityonion7373]

@@Johnny2Cellos Alright, it BETTER NOT HAVE ANY GOD DAMN STEREOTYPES OR HE'LL BREAK YOUR F*CKING LEGS!/j

[@JojenReed]

I've really come to lean on this channel for my quality content

[@alli1277]

just saw your timmy video and now this one! please make a nathan video next!!! the special ed kids are my favorite characters i love your video about timmy and this one about jimmy ❤

[@owenkrepps4966]

Another great video

[@alemonyoyo69420]

A video about my favourite character?!?!? YESS

[@twoshirts1842]

14:09 yea dude. That dude cracks me up