Jimmy Kimmel Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Last week, SI writer Richard Deitsch interviewed Jimmy Kimmel for the magazine's Q&A. The host of ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live is broadcasting from the GEM Theatre in Detroit during the week of Super Bowl XL. Here is the rest of their conversation.

SI: Your show was taken off the air for a day after you said during the 2004 NBA Finals, "They're going to burn the city of Detroit down if the Pistons win, and it's not worth it." Did you imagine your remark would cause so much controversy?

Kimmel: Honestly, I had no idea. Not only did I not think twice about it. I didn't think once about it. It was just L.A. versus Detroit trash talk as far as I was concerned. I was just being stupid. I didn't think people would be mad about it. What's interesting --- and I'm going to throw one of my fellow talk-show hosts under the bus --- is that Jay Leno made a similar comment about a couple of months ago and nobody said a word. I would like to see him attacked.

SI: Do you plan on insulting any other cities during your week in Detroit?

Kimmel: Yes, I plan on insulting a lot of other cities just to make it feel like I have more of a relationship with Detroit. Tucson, for example, is hellhole.

SI: What percentage of your shows in Detroit will be dedicated to kissing the butt of its citizens?

Kimmel: As much as can get me in and out of there safely -- so they'll be a good deal of ass-kissing. Probably 43 percent of the show.

SI: The Detroit News recently put out a list of 100 things they love about the Palace. No. 33 was "Scanning the crowd for Kid Rock, Bob Seger or Jimmy Kimmel." Is this the power of forgiveness or a great Hollywood publicist?

Kimmel: I don't think it's either. Maybe they need more celebrities to go to the games if I'm included. I've only been there once.

SI: Will there be any Detroit athletes on the show?

Kimmel: I think we're pretty close to booking Barry Sanders. The whole week will be devoted to Detroit.